Rybakina Upsets Sabalenka to Win Record £4m Reward
Elena Rybakina secured her forty-fifth hard court triumph of 2025
Elena Rybakina won the greatest payday in WTA history by defeating top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.
The 26-year-old produced a impressive display to overcome four-times major champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Because both players came through the tournament undefeated, the purse on the table was a historic £3.98m – the largest prize awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.
The prize money tops the £3.74m the Belarusian won for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in the current year.
"This has been an amazing week," commented the Kazakh player.
"Truly didn't expect any result so to reach the final was just remarkable."
"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second year running, it's an incredible accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winners during a dominant first-set display.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of break points before winning all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to win the first set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favour.
However, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of set points in the following game to level the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh taking every point to claim the title.
This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one place in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world rankings.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team shortly after the match.
"That was not the finest display from me in this match but Elena you were certainly the better competitor," the Belarusian addressed the crowd.
"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this stunning trophy."
