Elena Rybakina Upsets Sabalenka to Secure Historic £4m Prize
Rybakina sealed her forty-fifth hard-court win of 2025
Rybakina won the largest reward in women's tennis history by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
Rybakina produced a impressive display to overcome four-times major winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Since each competitor advanced through the tournament without a loss, the prize money on the table was a record-breaking £3.98 million – the biggest prize awarded in WTA the sport's history.
This amount surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka earned for winning September's New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.
"It's been an fantastic tournament," said the Kazakh player.
"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to reach the final was just incredible."
"I want to say praise to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second year running, it's an tremendous accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winners during a commanding opening set performance.
Rybakina fended off a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to secure the opening set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended two opportunities at four-all to shift the balance in her favor.
However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the following game to level the second set at five-all.
Her inability to force a decider impacted her tie-break play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to win the title.
The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the final.
"It was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were certainly the superior competitor," the Belarusian addressed the crowd.
"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this stunning title."
