Rybakina Stuns Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4m Payout
Elena Rybakina secured her 45th hard-court triumph of the year
Rybakina claimed the biggest prize in WTA history by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.
The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant performance to beat four-time Grand Slam champion Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.
Since both players advanced through the event without a loss, the prize money on offer was a historic almost £4 million – the highest payout offering in WTA history.
The prize money tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for claiming September's New York major, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.
"It's been an amazing tournament," stated Rybakina.
"I honestly didn't expect any result so to win the title was just incredible."
"I want to say congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second year running, it's an tremendous accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winners during a commanding opening set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the opening set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended another two break points at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.
However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by wasting two chances in the next game to tie the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to force a decider affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina winning every point to take home the championship.
This win, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the final.
"It was not the finest performance from me today but Elena you were certainly the superior competitor," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.
"You literally overpowered me on court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Celebrate this beautiful title."
