Yanina Wickmayer has appeared in the last two finals at the ASB Classic. She won the title in 2010 over Italy's Flavia Pennetta, but the No. 2 seed was surprised in the 2011 final by Greta Arn of Hungary.

Following an early loss at the Australian Open due to illness, Yanina battled now #2 Petra Kvitova, the eventual champion, in the quarterfinals of the 2011 Open GDF Suez in Paris before losing 7–5, 3–6, 6–7.

In her next tournament, the Dubai Tennis Championships, she took on Australian Open finalist Li Na in the second round, and after fighting off four match points, the Belgian won 6–7, 7–6, 6–2. The win was Yanina's second career win over a top 10 player.

The highlights of Yanina's 2011 included a semifinal run at the Paribas Open in Indian Wells, and the quarterfinals at the 2011 UNICEF Open, Brussels Ladies Open and Family Circle Cup.

Her Wimbledon run to the fourth round was her best efforts in the grand slams, and she lost to eventual champion Petra Kvitova.

A back injury troubled Yanina during the US hardcourt season, and she was forced to retire at the
Virginia Slims of Dallas in the first round against and during the second round of the US Open to end her season.

In June 2011, Time Magazine named her one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future".