Aryna Sabalenka turns to psychologist again after nearly eight months without a title: “I really needed someone”

Sunday, 08 November 2026 at 00:00

Aryna Sabalenka has confirmed that she has resumed working with a psychologist ahead of the WTA Finals, admitting that she needed professional support to rediscover herself after a difficult period. The world No. 2 has gone nearly eight months without winning a title, with her last trophies coming during the Sunshine Double in March, when she triumphed at Indian Wells and Miami.

It has been a contrasting season for the Belarusian, who started 2026 by winning the Brisbane International before adding two WTA 1000 titles. However, her momentum faded after the spring, and she has struggled to reproduce that level consistently in recent months. Her defeats in the Australian Open and US Open finals also meant she finished the Grand Slam season without a major title.

The downturn continued during the Asian swing, where Sabalenka suffered early exits at the China Open, losing in the third round to Nikola Bartunkova, and the Wuhan Open, where Ann Li defeated her in the second round. With just one win in her last four appearances, she arrives at the WTA Finals with questions to answer about whether she can rediscover the level that kept her at the top of the rankings for more than a year.

Speaking ahead of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, Sabalenka explained that she has been trying to stop overthinking, trust her instincts and move on from disappointing results. Her decision to return to working with a psychologist comes as she looks to close the season on a stronger note, beginning with a challenging group-stage encounter against Karolina Muchova.

Sabalenka explains why she returned to working with a psychologist

Sabalenka's comments offered an insight into the work she has undertaken since her disappointing exit in Wuhan three weeks ago. Rather than focusing only on technical adjustments, the 28-year-old described a process of starting over and leaving behind the thoughts that had been affecting her on court.

"I think this season has taught me to start over from scratch, to leave the past behind and move forward. That's something I've learned to do. After Wuhan, an opening-round loss, my priority was to recover physically," the world No. 2 said in press conference. "We worked hard and now I feel better. Then I worked a lot, both on the tennis side and the mental side. We'll see what that brings.

Aryna Sabalenka after her defeat in the US Open final

"I'm trying to think less, to trust my instincts more, and not to dwell on certain thoughts," she added. "That was important work. I've resumed working with a psychologist, and I feel that I really needed someone to help me find myself again."

The four-time Grand Slam champion still has an opportunity to finish the season with one of the biggest prizes in tennis: the WTA Finals title. Sabalenka has already reached the championship match twice, in 2022 and 2025, but lost on both occasions. It remains one of the few major trophies missing from her collection.

Sabalenka welcomes return to Indian Wells ahead of Muchova test

There are also personal reasons why Indian Wells holds a special place for Sabalenka. The tournament was the setting for several major moments in her life this season, alongside her title run, and she made clear that returning to the California venue brings back particularly positive memories.

"I'm very happy to be back in Indian Wells. I have so many wonderful memories here, especially this season: I adopted my dog here, I got engaged here, and I won the title here," the Belarusian said. "I hope this tournament will always remain a special place for me. Indian Wells is truly a one-of-a-kind tournament, with a unique atmosphere. The organization and the way I feel here are also very different."

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Her first opponent will be Muchova, a player Sabalenka knows well and expects to provide a difficult opening test. The Czech's variety and ability to move forward make her a particularly uncomfortable opponent, even for one of the most powerful players on tour.

"She's an incredible player. Her game is very versatile: she knows how to come to the net and has remarkable touch on the ball. We've had many spectacular battles, with very tight, closely contested matches," Sabalenka said. "She's a particularly difficult opponent to play against. She moves extremely well, hits the ball with power, has an excellent serve, and also knows how to come to the net. I always enjoy facing her."

Read also

Sabalenka arrives in Indian Wells with a clear objective: to turn the work she has done away from the court into a stronger finish to her season. After months without a title, her return to the psychologist is one part of that effort.

The WTA Finals will offer an immediate test of whether the changes she has made can help her rediscover the level that brought her three trophies earlier this year.

Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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