Kim Clijsters explains why she isn’t worried about Aryna Sabalenka despite latest early exit

Sabalenka is now second in the WTA rankings, behind Elena Rybakina, who beat her in the finals of the Australian Open and US Open this year. Serena Williams’ coach, Rennae Stubbs, claims Sabalenka is ‘so low’ on confidence, but others aren’t as concerned about the Belarusian’s dip in form.

Former world number one Kim Clijsters isn’t worried about Sabalenka and offered several reasons for Sabalenka’s recent WTA Tour struggles.

Kim Clijsters doesn’t believe we should ‘be concerned’ about Aryna Sabalenka and says fans get spoiled with results

“I don’t think we should be concerned. I don’t know; I really don’t think so. It’s something that can happen. We get spoiled, right? She was on such a high early on in the year, and seeing her do well… We are maybe also, at times, maybe overfocused on past results, thinking that maybe it should be like this all the time. It’s just not the case, as a former player, knowing how hard it is to be at your best and compete at your best, and not get distracted,” said Clijsters during the ‘Love All‘ podcast.

Which of these four WTA players will win the most Grand Slams next year?

Sabalenka, Gauff and Swiatek all went without a major title in 2026…

“I think with her, it’s at times a matter of motivation and being ready for tournaments and matches that maybe don’t mean as much to her, or where she doesn’t find as much value. Again, it’s the last part of the year; players are getting tired, being away from home, and having stability in life.

“Especially later on in my career, it gets harder to leave home, so maybe there are a couple of those things playing in her mind as well, maybe she’s just distracted by the wedding plans, or taking care of the puppy, who knows what it is, only she knows and her team!

“That’s something that she has to try and figure out, knowing where I want to peak, and what is the reason why I’m not having the results that I was having earlier this year, and trying to figure out what she can do differently.”

Sabalenka dominated women’s tennis earlier this year, winning three of her first four tournaments. She also reached the Australian Open final, losing to Rybakina in three sets. However, she hasn’t won a title since and looks nowhere near her best.

Aryna Sabalenka’s record from Brisbane to Miami: 23-1 (96%)

• Brisbane International – Champion (5-0)
• Australian Open – Final (6-1)
• Indian Wells – Champion (6-0)
• Miami Open – Champion (6-0)

Aryna Sabalenka’s record after Miami: 24-9 (73%)

• Madrid Open – Quarter-final (3-1)
• Italian Open – Third round (1-1)
• French Open – Quarter-final (4-1)
• Berlin Open – Semi-final (2-1)
• Wimbledon – Fourth round (3-1)
• Canadian Open – Fourth round (2-1)
• Cincinnati Open – Fourth round (2-1)
• US Open – Final (6-1)
• China Open – Third round (1-1)

Luckily for Sabalenka, she has an opportunity to bounce back at the upcoming Wuhan Open, an event she has won three times previously. She will also avoid many of her biggest rivals, who are set to skip the WTA 1000 tournament.

Aryna Sabalenka receives Wuhan Open boost as big names withdraw

Five former WTA 1000 champions will miss the Wuhan Open due to injury or fatigue. Victoria Mboko and Amanda Anisimova withdrew first, before Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, and Coco Gauff chose to skip the event.

With Rybakina missing, Sabalenka will be the top seed in Wuhan and could meet American star Jessica Pegula in the final. Sabalenka defeated Pegula in the US Open semi-finals recently, and would surely fancy her chances if they meet again in Wuhan with the title on the line.

Sabalenka and Pegula are the top two seeds at the 2026 Wuhan Open, but who else will be seeded in central China? Mirra Andreeva and Linda Noskova are among the top-eight seeds who receive a bye into the second round, and Filipina star Alex Eala is the biggest name seeded ninth to 16th.

2026 Wuhan Open seeds

Only time will tell who will emerge victorious in Wuhan this year. The 2026 Wuhan Open begins on October 12, and the final will take place on October 18.

Add to Preferred Sources