Rybakina Stuns Sabalenka to Win Record £4m Prize

Rybakina secured the greatest payday in women's tennis all time by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

Rybakina produced a brilliant display to defeat four-times Grand Slam champion her opponent in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Since each competitor advanced through the event undefeated, the reward on offer was a record-breaking almost £4 million – the biggest payout offering in WTA the sport's history.

The prize money tops the £3.74 million Sabalenka earned for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

"This has been an amazing tournament," stated Rybakina.

"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to reach the final was just incredible."

"I want to say 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, hit 16 winners during a commanding first-set display.

Rybakina 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.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.

But, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the next game to level the second set at five-all.

Her inability to level the match affected her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to take home the championship.

This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will move up one place in the rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the match.

"It was not the finest performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful title."