Elena Rybakina Stuns Sabalenka to Secure Historic £4m Prize
Elena Rybakina earned her forty-fifth hard court triumph of 2025
Rybakina claimed the biggest prize in women's tennis all time by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.
Rybakina produced a impressive performance to overcome four-time major champion her opponent in two sets in Saudi Arabia.
Since each competitor came through the competition without a loss, the reward on the table was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the highest prize awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.
"It's been an incredible week," stated the Kazakh player.
"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to win the title was just incredible."
"I want to say congratulations to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit 16 winning shots during a dominant first-set display.
Rybakina fended off a couple of chances before taking all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to win the first set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved another two break points at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favour.
But, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the next game to tie the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to level the match impacted her tie-break play, with the Kazakh winning every point to take home the title.
This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.
An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her coaching team soon after the final.
"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the better competitor," Sabalenka told the crowd.
"You literally smashed me on court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning title."