Elena Rybakina Stuns Sabalenka to Secure Record £4 Million Payout
Rybakina earned her 45th hard-court win of the year
Elena Rybakina secured the largest prize in women's tennis history by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant display to defeat four-times major champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Because each competitor advanced through the event undefeated, the prize money on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest payout offering in WTA the sport's history.
The reward surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for claiming the New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.
"This has been an incredible tournament," said the Kazakh player.
"I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to win the title was just unbelievable."
"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of break points before taking all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the first set.
With the second set on serve, the world number one saved another two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting two set points in the next game to level the set at five-all.
Her inability to force a decider affected her tiebreak play, with Rybakina taking every point to take home the championship.
This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the match.
"It was not the best display from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.
"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning trophy."