Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4 Million Prize
Rybakina sealed her forty-fifth hard court win of 2025
Elena Rybakina won the biggest prize in women's tennis all time by defeating world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.
The 26-year-old produced a brilliant display to overcome four-times major winner her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Since both players advanced through the tournament without a loss, the prize money on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.
The reward exceeds the £3.74m Sabalenka received for winning September's US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.
"It's been an fantastic tournament," commented Rybakina.
"I honestly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to win the title was just unbelievable."
"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winners during a dominant first-set display.
Rybakina fended off two chances before winning every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to seal the opening set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended another two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by wasting two set points in the next game to tie the set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to force a decider impacted her tiebreak performance, with Rybakina winning all seven points to claim the title.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means she will move up one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she sat with her team shortly after the match.
"That was not the finest display from me in this match but Elena you were certainly the superior player," Sabalenka addressed the audience.
"You really smashed me out of the court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Celebrate this beautiful title."
