Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Win Record £4 Million Payout

Tennis Play

Elena Rybakina earned her 45th hard-court victory of 2025

Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women's tennis all time by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old produced a brilliant display to overcome four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Since both players came through the event undefeated, the purse on offer was a record-breaking almost £4 million – the highest prize awarded in WTA history.

The reward exceeds the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"It's been an amazing week," commented the Kazakh player.

"I honestly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to win the title was just incredible."

"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second year in a row, it's an outstanding achievement."

The champion, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a impressive first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off two chances before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to win the first set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved another two break points at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of chances in the next game to level the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh taking every point to take home the championship.

This win, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will rise one place in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.

A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team shortly after the final.

"It was not the finest display from me today but Rybakina you were certainly the better player," the Belarusian told the crowd.

"You really overpowered me on court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning title."

Andrew May
Andrew May

A tech strategist and innovation consultant with over a decade of experience in Silicon Valley and global markets.