Ankara: Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women’s tennis history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the WTA Finals. The 26-year-old produced a display to overcome four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0).
According to BBC, both players came through the tournament undefeated, resulting in a record-breaking £3.98 million prize money, the largest payout offering in women’s tennis history. This tops the £3.74 million Sabalenka earned for winning September’s US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in 2025.
Rybakina expressed her feelings by stating, “It’s been an incredible week,” and acknowledged her opponent’s achievements by saying, “I want to say congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it’s an incredible achievement.”
Rybakina, ranked world number six, hit 16 winners during the first set. She saved two break points before winning all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the first set.
In the second set, Sabalenka saved two break points at 4-4, but failed to capitalize on two set points, allowing Rybakina to level the second set at 5-5. Sabalenka’s inability to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina winning all seven points to secure the title.
Rybakina’s victory, her sixth over Sabalenka, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world. A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team after the match, acknowledging Rybakina’s performance by stating, “It was not the best performance from me today, but Elena you were definitely the better player. You literally smashed me out of the court.”