Max Mirnyi is not in Indian Wells, and Sabalenka confirmed as much when asked about him after her opening win over Karolina Muchova on Monday.

“He is not here at Indian Wells with us but Max has always been a great supporter,” Sabalenka told reporters, crediting the 10-time Grand Slam doubles champion with helping her sharpen her play at the net.

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg reported the split on his Bounces newsletter before the tournament began. Mirnyi had joined the Belarusian’s team as an advisor in 2025, with the brief of tightening her forecourt game.

A second departure has also been reported: former players Dinara Safina and Anna Chakvetadze have said Sabalenka’s physiotherapist has left the camp. Sabalenka has not addressed that departure publicly.

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Dubrov and Stacy stay

The reshuffle is narrower than a full overhaul. Long-time head coach Anton Dubrov remains courtside, and fitness coach Jason Stacy is still on the team. Sabalenka has also said she started working with a sports psychologist again before the Finals.

She went into the week ranked world No. 2, behind Elena Rybakina.

Andreeva up next

The campaign opened well enough. Sabalenka beat Muchova 7-6 (2), 7-5 in just under two hours on Monday, her first match in a Group 2 round-robin that also includes Mirra Andreeva, Elina Svitolina and the Czech.

Sabalenka faces Andreeva on Wednesday, chasing a return to the final after reaching it in 2022 and 2025. The 2026 WTA Finals runs from 8 to 15 November at the Indian Wells Tennis Garden, after the WTA moved the event from Riyadh with a year left on the Saudi hosting deal.

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