Aryna Sabalenka will be looking to turn a season of missed Grand Slam opportunities into a memorable finish as she begins her campaign at the 2026 WTA Finals in Indian Wells. With questions surrounding her physical condition following her early exit at the Wuhan Open, the Belarusian has offered a reassuring update, confirming that she is feeling better ahead of the season-ending championships.
The four-time Grand Slam champion, who lost her World No. 1 ranking to Elena Rybakina, has experienced a contrasting 2026 campaign. While she claimed titles in Brisbane and completed the prestigious Sunshine Double with victories at Indian Wells and Miami, the Belarusian fell short of adding another major title to her collection.
She finished runner-up at both the Australian Open and US Open, losing to Rybakina on both occasions. Her recent defeat to Ann Li at the Wuhan Open, however, raised fresh concerns after Sabalenka received treatment on her knee during the match. With the WTA Finals approaching, her fitness became an important talking point during her pre-tournament press conference on November 6.
Sabalenka provides positive fitness update ahead of WTA Finals. Addressing her preparations since the Wuhan Open, Sabalenka revealed that getting her physical condition back on track had been her primary focus. The 28-year-old acknowledged that she had put considerable effort into both physical conditioning and mental preparation. “First of all, I was trying to fix my body,” said Sabalenka.
“I think we did the right things to it, so physically I feel better. Then yeah, it was a lot of training, a lot of physical and mental training. Let’s see how it goes.”
Beyond the physical aspect, Sabalenka also spoke about the importance of approaching the tournament with a refreshed mindset. The Belarusian admitted that managing overthinking and trusting her natural instincts had been a significant part of her preparation. “Trying to stop overthinking, and trust my instincts more, leaving some things behind. It was lots of work.”
She further confirmed that she had resumed working with a sports psychologist, explaining that she felt the need for additional support to rediscover her confidence and approach to the game. “I mean, part of it is like that. I go back to work with psychologist and I feel like at this time I really needed someone to just help find myself again. Yeah, I’m starting back working with psychologist (laughter).”
Karolina Muchova presents an early challenge for Sabalenka. Sabalenka’s opening assignment at the WTA Finals will be against Czech Republic’s Karolina Muchova, a player whose tactical variety and all-court game have previously troubled the Belarusian. The two have faced each other five times on the WTA Tour, with Muchova holding a 3-2 advantage in their head-to-head record. Sabalenka, however, won their most recent meeting at the Brisbane International in January 2026.
Speaking about the challenge, Sabalenka was full of praise for her opponent, highlighting her ability to change the pace of rallies and use different areas of the court. “She’s [an] amazing player,” answered Sabalenka. “She really has variety in the game, approaches the net, great touch. We had a lot of great, tough battles, close matches.
“She’s very challenging, moving well, heavy strokes, great serving, approaches the net. She’s a tricky player to face. I always enjoy playing against her.” The 2026 FAGE WTA Finals, being held at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden from November 8 to 15, features eight players divided into two round-robin groups. The top two players from each group will advance to the semi-finals, making every match crucial in the race for the championship.
Sabalenka is scheduled to face Muchova on Monday, November 9, in the opening singles match of the day’s programme. Having reached the WTA Finals on six consecutive occasions, the Belarusian will be aiming to add the year-end championship to her impressive list of career achievements. A positive start against Muchova could provide the momentum she needs as she looks to finish her 2026 campaign with another major title.
Sabalenka’s campaign at the WTA Finals is about more than winning another trophy. Her decision to address both physical concerns and mental preparation reflects the demands of sustaining excellence at the highest level. While her 2026 season has included significant silverware, the absence of a Grand Slam title and her defeats in two major finals leave unfinished business. Against Muchova, the first test will be whether Sabalenka can translate her renewed physical confidence and mental clarity into consistent performances under pressure.
