Rybakina Stuns Sabalenka to Win Record £4m Prize
Rybakina earned her forty-fifth hard court triumph of the year
Elena Rybakina secured the biggest reward in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old produced a brilliant performance to beat four-times major winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Because both players came through the competition without a loss, the purse on the table was a historic £3.98 million – the biggest prize offering in women's tennis history.
This amount surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for winning September's New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.
"It's been an amazing tournament," said Rybakina.
"I honestly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to win the title was just remarkable."
"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the world number six, delivered 16 winning shots during a commanding opening set display.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of break points before winning every point in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to win the opening set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended another two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of set points in the next game to level the set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking every point to win the title.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team shortly after the final.
"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the better competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.
"You really smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this stunning trophy."
