Kim Clijsters is ‘happy’ for Aryna Sabalenka as she hires new member of her team

Aryna Sabalenka has recently made two changes to her coaching team.

Ahead of the WTA Finals, Max Mirnyi left Sabalenka’s team. The Belarusian joined in August 2025 and helped Sabalenka win her fourth Grand Slam title at the US Open shortly after.

Sabalenka has also made a new hire in her latest coaching shakeup. She has brought in a new sports psychologist, following a relatively poor run of form that saw her drop to world number two behind Elena Rybakina. Former world number one Kim Clijsters has now delivered her verdict on Sabalenka’s decision to hire a sports psychologist.

Kim Clijsters says she is happy for Aryna Sabalenka as she hires sports psychologist

“You have to try, and I think she tried it a few years ago, and she felt like, ‘I needed to look at myself first before I can start listening to a psychologist who is telling me what to do.’ There is so much that you need to learn about yourself as an athlete, but as a tennis player, especially. With the thoughts that come up at certain times during the matches, you have to learn those things about yourself,” said Clijsters during her ‘Love All‘ podcast.

“A lot of the times, I feel that players look externally to try and let them help inwards, and it does, but I think you need to do the work first yourself, and then you can start adding professional help. I don’t think the other way around works, I don’t think the impact of the psychologist is the same if you haven’t done the deeper dive within yet.

“So I’m happy for her; I’m happy that she’s been able to kind of address that. There are also a lot of things that we don’t know that are going on in her head. If she feels that she maybe has some demons during certain moments in the matches, or with certain players, it’s important that she’s able to communicate about those things with her team, and if some of the team members, at times, venting to them can be enough, if that’s not the case, then it’s great to get that external help.

“I’m happy that she’s been able to do that, and it shows her willingness to keep growing; that’s what all the great champions have been able to do. It’s not just the serve and the forehand down the line, but the mental side of things as well, so good for her.”

Sabalenka failed to win a Grand Slam title this year, as she endured a more difficult campaign than many expected. Perhaps with a sports psychologist on board she will return to her best in 2027.

Aryna Sabalenka makes strong start at the WTA Finals

The 28-year-old could still end her season on a high note by winning the WTA Finals in Indian Wells. Sabalenka is a two-time runner-up at the WTA Finals and would love nothing more than to clinch her first title in 2026.

Aryna Sabalenka’s WTA Finals record (13-9)

Aryna Sabalenka’s WTA Finals record

She made a strong start earlier in the week, defeating Czechia’s Karolina Muchova in straight sets, 7-6, 7-5. Sabalenka currently sits second in Group 2, behind Mirra Andreeva, who also won her opener in straights.

• Mirra Andreeva defeated Elina Svitolina, 6-4, 6-0

Sabalenka and Andreeva will meet for the first time in over a year on Wednesday, November 11, with top spot in the group up for grabs. Sabalenka leads their head-to-head 4-2, but lost when they met at Indian Wells, 605 days ago.

Elsewhere, Svitolina will play Muchova in the other Group 2 match. The winner will stay alive in the competition and will return with a chance to qualify on the final day.

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