"I didn't want to be part of that": Goran Ivanisevic opens up about reasons behind ending partnership with Elena Rybakina

Goran Ivanisevic has opened up about working with Elena Rybakina and how their time together ended. The two had a short stint together, but it ended abruptly. Rybakina hired the 53-year-old after parting ways with Stefano Vukov.

The stint did not last long enough, as Vukov was set to return to Rybakina's coaching team. This news ended up being the reason for Ivanisevic's decision to part ways. It was later reported in some news media outlets that both Rybakina and Vukov were involved in a romantic relationship.

Ivanisevic has now spoken to Arena Sport, which is quoted by Talking Tennis. In it, he opens up the reason behind deciding to part ways with the one-time Grand Slam winner. The 53-year-old confirms that something that happened ‘off the court’ became the reason to end their partnership.

"I already considered her the best tennis player in the world before joining her team,” he said. “It's impressive how effortlessly she plays on the court, playing wonderfully. Unfortunately, things happened off the court that I couldn't control. I didn't want to be part of that. The truth is I don't want to delve too much into what happened, but I can say it's a very sad and strange story. I realized that the best thing I could do was to leave. I wish Elena the best in her career and life.”

Rybakina has been going through a bit of a difficult phase on the court in the recent past. Her most recent appearance was at the ongoing Miami Open, where she was knocked out after losing to America’s Ashlyn Krueger with a score of 4-6, 6-2, 4-6. Before that, she was featured in another WTA 1000 event, Indian Wells, where she was knocked out after losing the fourth round to Russia’s young tennis sensation Mirra Andreeva in straight sets with a score of 6-1, 6-2.