Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Secure Record £4m Reward
Elena Rybakina secured her forty-fifth hard court triumph of 2025
Rybakina secured the biggest prize in women's tennis history by overcoming world number one Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old delivered a brilliant performance to defeat four-time major champion her opponent in two sets in the host country.
Because each competitor advanced through the event undefeated, the prize money on offer was a historic almost £4 million – the biggest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.
The reward tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.
"It's been an incredible tournament," commented Rybakina.
"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to win the title was just remarkable."
"I want to say praise to Sabalenka for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winners during a dominant first-set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and held her serve to secure the opening set.
With the second set on serve, the world number one saved another two break points at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favour.
However, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting two chances in the following game to tie the set at five-all.
Her inability to level the match affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to claim the championship.
This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world.
A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her team soon after the final.
"That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Elena you were certainly the superior player," the Belarusian told the crowd.
"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning title."