Elena Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Secure Record £4m Payout

Rybakina secured the greatest payday in WTA all time by defeating top-ranked Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.

The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant display to defeat four-times Grand Slam champion her opponent in two sets in the host country.

Because each competitor came through the tournament without a loss, the reward on offer was a historic £3.98 million – the highest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.

The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka earned for claiming September's New York major, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in 2025.

"It's been an incredible tournament," stated the Kazakh player.

"I honestly didn't expect any result so to win the title was just incredible."

"I want to say praise to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an incredible accomplishment."

Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit 16 winning shots during a impressive first-set performance.

Rybakina saved two break points before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the opening set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended another two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.

However, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting a pair of set points in the following game to level the second set at 5-5.

Her inability to force a decider affected her tie-break play, with Rybakina taking every point to take home the title.

This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught the runner-up 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 certainly the superior competitor," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You really smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."