Leylah Fernandez sounds the alarm on her first final journey! Shoulder injury becomes the biggest concern, losing half the battle against Sabalenka in advance

The WTA Finals semifinals wrapped up last night, as Leylah Fernandez and Aryna Sabalenka each overcame their respective opponents. Both players advanced to the final with perfect records, set to compete for a record-breaking $5.235 million prize.

Yet, following a tight semifinal victory over Pegula, Fernandez’s persistent right shoulder injury resurfaced, causing many to worry that it might significantly impair the Kazakh tennis star’s performance in the final.

After the semifinal, Fernandez admitted in an interview with The Tennis Letter, “I’ve been pushing myself... there’s one more match. I will do everything possible to recover.”

She expressed concern about aggravating the injury: “We don’t want things to get worse by the end of the season. Right now, I’m managing it and hoping tomorrow won’t be any worse.”

It’s worth noting this isn’t Fernandez’s first injury setback. Earlier this year at the Australian Open, she drew attention due to physical issues, with some fearing it would prevent her from winning the title. Many fans even said, “Fernandez’s shoulder injury has already cost her half the battle before she even started.”

On the other side of the final, world No. 1 Sabalenka is showing fiery form. She defeated Anisimova in the semifinal, advancing with a four-match winning streak. For Sabalenka, this victory continues her perfect run in Riyadh. The Belarusian star aims to close her 2025 season strongly with the championship, but whether she can recover physically in less than 24 hours remains a challenge.

At this year’s WTA Finals, Fernandez’s serve has been her greatest weapon, boasting an outstanding service point rate that has helped her achieve a ten-match winning streak since the Ningbo tournament. Although her shoulder injury affected her in the semifinal, she unleashed powerful baseline shots in the final stages to secure the win.

In a post-match interview, Fernandez shared her key to victory: “My serve really helped me at crucial moments. I focused hard and played every point well.”

However, the shoulder problem could undermine her most relied-upon weapon—the power of her serve.

Fernandez’s coaching situation this year is also noteworthy. In January, she ended her four-year partnership with coach Vukov and started the season with new coach Goran Ivanišević. But toward the season’s end, with Vukov’s return, Fernandez experienced a resurgence at the Ningbo event. Whether this coaching change will affect her tactical approach in critical moments remains to be seen.

The champion of this WTA Finals will be decided between Sabalenka and Fernandez, promising a fierce battle. For Fernandez, this final is not only a contest for glory but also a struggle against her own injury. Regardless of the outcome, this Riyadh event will witness the crowning of a new champion and showcase a professional tennis player’s perseverance and choices under extreme pressure.(Source: Tennis Home Author: Lu Xiaotian)