Sports · Tennis · 7 hrs ago
Brad Gilbert says Sabalenka must show more grit at WTA Finals
Brad Gilbert says Aryna Sabalenka needs more grit when matches become close.
The Belarusian, ranked world No.
2, has had a difficult 2026 season and has not won a title since the Miami Open in late March.
She has let several big leads slip, including against Diana Shnaider at the French Open and Elena Rybakina in the Australian Open final.
Gilbert says opponents may see Sabalenka as more beatable after those losses, and believes she must find a way to finish tight matches.
The WTA Finals could help her regain momentum for the next season, as Rybakina did after winning the event last year.
The WTA Finals begin on 7 November, giving Sabalenka a chance to end the season with a stronger performance.
Brad Gilbert says Aryna Sabalenka needs to show more grit and find a way to stop letting big leads slip away.
He says the WTA Finals could help Sabalenka regain her form and build momentum for the following season.
Sabalenka has lost several matches after holding substantial leads, including against Diana Shnaider at the French Open.
She has not won a title since the Miami Open in late March, according to Tennis365.
The WTA Finals are due to begin on 7 November.
- Who
- Brad Gilbert says Aryna Sabalenka needs to compete with more grit.
- What
- Gilbert says Sabalenka must stop letting big leads slip away and could use the WTA Finals to build momentum.
- When
- The article was published on 28 October 2026. The WTA Finals begin on 7 November.
- Where
- The WTA Finals are identified in the article as being at Indian Wells.
- Why
- Sabalenka has lost several matches after holding big leads and has not won a title since the Miami Open in late March.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sabalenka blew a 3-0 lead in the deciding set against Elena Rybakina, who went on to win the title.
Sabalenka won the Miami Open, her most recent title according to the article.
Sabalenka led Diana Shnaider by a set and 5-1 but lost the match.
The WTA Finals are scheduled to begin.
- Speaker
- Brad Gilbert
- Player discussed
- Aryna Sabalenka, the world No 2
- French Open loss
- Sabalenka lost 10 games in a row against Diana Shnaider after leading by a set and multiple breaks.
- Most recent title
- Miami Open, late March 2026
- WTA Finals start
- 7 November
1 source
What people are saying
She needs to get back to competing and finding a way not to let matches slip away.
So I do think it would be really important for Sabalenka to find this grit, this level of competing that she’s had.
I do feel like this tournament can have a springboard for the following year.