Rybakina earned her 45th hard court triumph of 2025
Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women's tennis history by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.
Rybakina produced a impressive display to defeat four-time major champion Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.
Because both players came through the event undefeated, the reward on the table was a unprecedented £3.98m – the largest prize awarded in WTA history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka received for claiming the New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.
"This has been an fantastic week," said the Kazakh player.
"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to win the title was just remarkable."
"I want to say praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winning shots during a commanding first-set performance.
Rybakina fended off two chances before winning every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the first set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.
But, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of set points in the following game to level the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to force a decider impacted her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to claim the title.
This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will move up one place in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world rankings.
A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she sat with her team soon after the match.
"It was not the best display from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the better player," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.
"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."
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