Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Secure Record £4m Prize
Rybakina sealed her forty-fifth hard-court triumph of 2025
Elena Rybakina won the largest payday in women's tennis history by defeating world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.
Rybakina delivered a brilliant performance to overcome four-time major champion Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Since both players advanced through the tournament undefeated, the purse on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest payout awarded in WTA the sport's history.
The prize money exceeds the £3.74 million Sabalenka received for claiming September's US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.
"It's been an fantastic tournament," stated the Kazakh player.
"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to reach the final was just remarkable."
"I want to say praise to Aryna for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set display.
Rybakina saved two break points before taking all four points in the sixth game to take the break and held her serve to win the opening set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended two break points at four-all to swing the momentum in her favour.
But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the next game to tie the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to claim the championship.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.
An emotional the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the final.
"It was not the best performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.
"You really overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning title."