Rybakina Defeats Aryna Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4 Million Reward
Elena Rybakina sealed her 45th hard court victory of 2025
Rybakina secured the largest prize in WTA history by defeating top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old produced a stunning performance to overcome four-times Grand Slam champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Because both players came through the tournament undefeated, the prize money on the table was a record-breaking £3.98m – the highest prize awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.
The prize money tops the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for claiming September's US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.
"This has been an incredible tournament," commented the Kazakh player.
"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to win the title was just remarkable."
"I want to say congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an incredible achievement."
The champion, who was the world number six, hit 16 winning shots during a commanding opening set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of chances before taking all four points in the sixth game to go a break up and held her serve to seal the first set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended two break points at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.
However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the next game to level the set at five-all.
Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh taking every point to take home the championship.
This win, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.
A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her team soon after the final.
"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the better player," the Belarusian told the audience.
"You literally smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."
