Elena Rybakina Finally Takes Driving Lessons After Winning Porsche In 2024
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Elena Rybakina could finally be able to use the car she won earlier this year after taking driving lessons.
Rybakina enjoyed an excellent start to 2024, although that was somewhat overshadowed by two notable changes to the Kazakhstani's coaching team in the second half of this year.
Tennis fans worldwide were shocked when Rybakina split from her coach of five years, Stefano Vukov, a few days before the US Open. During their successful time together, she won the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and many other tournaments.
Rumors about the reasons and nature of their split persisted for weeks after Rybakina withdrew just hours before her US Open second-round match. She also refused to comment about parting with Vukov.
A well-known journalist reported that Rybakina had psychological problems after working with Vukov. The Croatian coach routinely received criticism for being overly harsh toward her during matches.
After more than two months away from the WTA Tour, Rybakina returned at the WTA Finals. She struggled and looked rusty in her opening two matches but finished by beating Aryna Sabalenka in her last round-robin match.
Rybakina also announced before the WTA Finals that she would begin working with Novak Djokovic's former coach, Goran Ivanisevic. During their almost five years together, he helped the Serbian win ten Grand Slams.
Ivanisevic, like Rybakina, is also a former Wimbledon champion. Fans will watch with fascination during the 2025 season whether she can be successful with such a high-profile name in her team.
Ryakina's opening months of the 2024 season do not deserve to be brushed over in the way they have because of the chaotic end to the year. The 25-year-old won three titles and finished as the runner-up at the Qatar Open and Miami Open.
One of her three titles came in April on the indoor clay courts of the Porsche Tennis Grand Prix in Stuttgart. Porsche rewarded Rybakina with a car the legendary automobile manufacturer produced as part of her reward for securing the title.
However, Rybakina revealed during the trophy ceremony that she would not be able to drive the car due to not having a driver's license, much to the amusement of those inside the stadium in Stuttgart.
"I actually don’t have driver’s license. So it’s gonna be the goal, of course. I mean, I want (it) already for a long time, so that’s a good motivation."
Nearly eight months later, Rybakina is on the brink of finally being able to use the car Porsche gave her. The former Wimbledon winner announced she had been receiving lessons from a strict instructor, and her exam is upcoming.
"I just joined Galadari driving school and really happy to join and practice. I have a very strict instructor. But it is very nice experience and looking forward to my exam tomorrow."
Rybakina's first Grand Slam with Ivanisevic on her team will be the 2025 Australian Open. In 2023, she lost an epic three-set battle in the final in Melbourne against Sabalenka.
