"She has lost her identity" - Rick Macci fears the worst as Aryna Sabalenka's WTA Finals chances hang by a thread
WTA
Aryna Sabalenka was a shell of her usual self against Mirra Andreeva at the WTA Finals. Losing 11 consecuitve games, it is not the first time something like this has happened to the Belarusian this season, and sparks more concern and questions from tennis fans and pundits. Rick Macci has claimed that Sabalenka has lost her 'identity' with him not sure when she will get it back.
For years now Sabalenka was the picture of consistency at the very highest level of the sport. Between 2023 and 2025, her worst Grand Slam result was a quarter-final at Wimbledon in 2023, making it to at least the semi-finals in all the others that she played.
In that same timeframe, she also failed to make the last-eight at WTA 1000 level only seven from 25 separate tournaments, mostly coming at the start of the year.
She has also made it out of the round robin phase in each of the last four WTA Finals editions, a hugely commendable record with the best players in the world regularly turning up. She can make it five, but she is now in a very dangerous position following that Andreeva collapse.
After taking a 4-1 lead, something happened. Sabalenka would win just 10 of the next 55 points in what would turn out to be a one-sided affair. While the 19-year-old deserves her plaudits, there are more reasons to be worried about the four-time Grand Slam champion.
Identity crisis for Sabalenka as Macci weighs in
Macci has been watching these WTA Finals from afar, trying to assess what is going wrong with Sabalenka. The legendary coach has taken the likes of the Williams sisters, Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Maria Sharapova under his wing, overseeing their glorious careers at the highest level.
On X, he wrote down his thoughts on the former World No.1. "Sabalenka is searching for answers and getting way out of her comfort zone. She has lost her IDENTITY. Can she get it back? For sure. When? Not sure."
Aryna Sabalenka is not finding her best tennis
He analysed her indifferent style of play, contrasting to what she normally produces on the court. "She is playing very different stategically than ever. She is coming in more which should only be situtational or really forced. Using slice more which is ok but should only be to really live another day. Throwing in more drops than usual which is ok also but not as a bail out. She is kicking in more first serves which I have no idea when you have a gun."
On top of that, the mental aspect has come under real scrutiny. The 71-year-old puts that down to what he just mentioned. "All of the above has affected her mindset and footwork big time. She has to control the baseline and deal the cards and run the show and win or lose this is the way to go."
Sabalenka is searching for answers and getting way out of her comfort zone. She has lost her IDENTITY.Can she get it back For sure. When? Not sure.She is playing very different startegically than ever. She is coming in more which should only be situtational or really forced.Using slice more which is ok but should only be to really live another day. Throwing in more drops than usual which is ok also but not as a bail out. She is kicking in more first serves which I have no idea when you have a gun. All of the above has effected her mindset and footwork big time. She has to control the baseline and deal the cards and run the show and win or lose this is the wat to go.@Wta
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) November 13, 2026
A synonymous collapse
Normally Sabalenka is able to blow away players with ferocious power, dictating play while shutting down opportunities with a rocket of a serve. However, her usual presence is not as feared anymore.
No Grand Slam title in 2026 is a bitter blow, although she did make two finals, losing both in Melbourne and New York to Elena Rybakina. Her last title came all the way back in March at the Miami Open, backing up her success at Indian Wells. There was an ominous and seemongly inevitable feel that no one could stop her. That was proven to be very incorrect.
She has reached just one WTA 1000 quarter-final since, in Madrid, and two semi-finals coming at the US Open and Berlin Ladies Open.
Her exit in the German capital was similar to the Andreeva loss in California. This trend of collapsing in matches was first seen at Roland Garros in the last-eight against Diana Shnaider. Leading 6-3, 4-1, Sabalenka was two games from victory. She would proceed to win a grand total of one game from that point onwards. The Russian ticked off 10 games on the spin to stun Sabalenka.
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In the next tournament, in Berlin, Pegula bageled Sabalenka in a 28-minute third set. Sabalenka being bageled was an extremely rare thing, so for it to happen twice in two tournaments was deeply worrying.
Her game was in tatters in Cincinnati, squandering a 4-1 lead in the second as Sara Bejlek strode to glory. She would lose in the second round of the Wuhan Open, leaving her with barely any momentum to leach off when returning to Indian Wells. It did not seem to matter with a hard fought win over Karolina Muchova to open her account. She looked to kick on, but then came the Andreeva drubbing. It is now a winner-takes-all clash against Elina Svitolina. The victor will play Linda Noskova in the semi-finals. The loser will end their season with a whimper.
Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist
Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.
Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.
He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.
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- I, like writer of this wonderful article, also picked Noskova to win this entire thing. I would love it if she and Andreeva are in the final.Rapunzel12-11-2026
- "Priorities", Saba... spend less time in front of cameras, anti-Social Media, selfies and back to Tennis.
mandoist12-11-2026 - Tell this to Andreeva!mandoist12-11-2026
- Andreeva with 11 games in a row to add to Saba's downward spiral issue !!! Personal feelings aside... Jess Pegula may want to reassess her evaluation of Mirra's abilities.mandoist12-11-2026
- I predicted whenthe list was finalised that Linda Noskova would win the WTA Finals and her matches against Gauff and Kostyuk prove that. She is the best (underrated) player in the world!Rapunzel11-11-2026
- Either Lena has a chronic internal ailment (i.e., colitis, enteritis, Crohn's, or some type of lower abdomen issue) -- or she is once again dealing with 'Vukovitis'. Mental stress can indeed cause lower body pains. No matter... whatever is truly going on sucks. "Virus" excuse is getting a bit old -- and often -- at this point.mandoist09-11-2026
- Ironically, Martina became a U.S. Citizen about the same time as the Orange Convicted Felon & Abuser was just beginning on his road to losing all Daddy's Millions!!mandoist09-11-2026
- "Another fresh start is in the cards." Thanks for the Humor!! I'm guessing this is the minimum one can do to keep all your sponsors hanging-on in perpetuity?mandoist09-11-2026
- Vukov is doing this to Lena... AGAIN!!!!! WTA's autonomous collective should be dismantled for allowing Vukov to re-emerge from his hand-slapping suspension. Just ask WTA employees how that's been going lately as they witness his continued verbal abuses. Women's Pro Tennis should start over.mandoist08-11-2026
- Can't help but suspect Vukov is back to his old self again. Thank you, WTA. Perhaps you can give them a "Battling Couple of the Year Award 2026" ??mandoist08-11-2026
