Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Secure Historic £4 Million Reward
Rybakina secured her 45th hard-court triumph of 2025
Rybakina claimed the largest prize in WTA history by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant performance to beat four-time major champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Because each competitor advanced through the competition undefeated, the purse on the table was a historic almost £4 million – the highest payout awarded in women's tennis history.
The reward surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for claiming the New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.
"This has been an fantastic week," stated Rybakina.
"I honestly didn't expect this outcome so to reach the final was just remarkable."
"I want to say praise to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second year running, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set display.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of break points before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and held her serve to secure the first set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended another two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the following game to level the second set at five-all.
Her inability to level the match impacted her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh winning every point to take home the title.
The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one place in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world.
An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her coaching team soon after the match.
"It was not the best display from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the superior competitor," Sabalenka addressed the audience.
"You literally overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning trophy."
