Elena Rybakina earned her forty-fifth hard court triumph of the year
Rybakina secured the greatest payday in WTA history by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the WTA Finals.
Rybakina delivered a stunning display to defeat four-time major winner Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.
Since each competitor came through the tournament without a loss, the reward on the table was a historic almost £4 million – the highest payout awarded in WTA history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74m Sabalenka received for winning September's New York major, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.
"This has been an amazing week," said the Kazakh player.
"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to reach the final was just remarkable."
"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."
The champion, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a commanding opening set display.
Rybakina fended off a couple of break points before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to secure the first set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended another two break points at four-all to swing the momentum in her favour.
But, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of set points in the following game to tie the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina taking all seven points to take home the championship.
This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.
An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her coaching team soon after the final.
"That was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were definitely the better player," Sabalenka told the crowd.
"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful title."
