World No. 2 Aryna Sabalenka of Belarus, 28, has resumed working with a psychologist ahead of the WTA Finals in Indian Wells, she told reporters before the tournament. “I’ve resumed working with a psychologist, and I feel that I really needed someone to help me find myself again,” she said.

“I’m trying to think less, to trust my instincts more, and not to dwell on certain thoughts. That was important work,” Sabalenka added. “I think this season has taught me to start over from scratch, to leave the past behind and move forward.”

Sabalenka has not won a title since Miami in March. In 2026, she won Brisbane, Indian Wells and Miami, and lost in the Australian Open and US Open finals. “After Wuhan, an opening-round loss, my priority was to recover physically,” she said. “We worked hard and now I feel better.”

“I’m very happy to be back in Indian Wells,” said Sabalenka, who won the title there in March. “I adopted my dog here, I got engaged here, and I won the title here.” She opens Group 2 against Karolina Muchova of the Czech Republic, 30, in a group that also includes Mirra Andreeva of Russia, 19, ranked No. 3, and Elina Svitolina of Ukraine, 32.