Elena Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Secure Historic £4m Payout

Tennis Play

Rybakina secured her 45th hard court win of 2025

Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in WTA all time by beating world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

Rybakina delivered a stunning performance to overcome four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Since each competitor advanced through the tournament undefeated, the reward on offer was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the highest prize awarded in WTA history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for winning the New York major, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"It's been an fantastic week," stated the Kazakh player.

"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to go so far was just remarkable."

"I want to say praise to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an incredible accomplishment."

Rybakina, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a dominant first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two break points before taking every point in the sixth game to take the break and served out to seal the first set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended another two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting a pair of chances in the following game to tie the set at five-all.

Her inability to level the match impacted her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to claim the championship.

The victory, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one place in the rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she sat with her team soon after the match.

"That was not the best performance from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the better player," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You really overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Celebrate this beautiful trophy."

Harold Meza
Harold Meza

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