Elena Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Secure Record £4 Million Reward
Rybakina earned her 45th hard court win of 2025
Elena Rybakina claimed the largest reward in WTA history by beating top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.
Rybakina produced a stunning display to defeat four-time Grand Slam winner her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Since both players came through the tournament undefeated, the purse on offer was a historic £3.98 million – the biggest prize offering in women's tennis history.
The reward surpasses the £3.74m Sabalenka earned for claiming September's New York major, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.
"It's been an fantastic tournament," said the Kazakh player.
"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to reach the final was just incredible."
"I want to say congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winners during a commanding first-set display.
Rybakina fended off a couple of break points before taking every point in the sixth game to take the break and held her serve to win the first set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one saved another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.
But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the following game to level the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to force a decider impacted her tiebreak performance, with Rybakina winning all seven points to take home the title.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means she will rise one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her coaching team soon after the match.
"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly 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."
