🔗 Share this article

Elena Rybakina won the biggest reward in WTA history by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

Rybakina produced a impressive performance to beat four-times major winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.

Because each competitor came through the tournament without a loss, the purse on the table was a historic £3.98m – the largest payout offering in women's tennis history.

The reward tops the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

"This has been an amazing tournament," stated the Kazakh player.

"I honestly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just unbelievable."

"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 sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winners during a impressive first-set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two break points before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the first set.

With the second set on serve, the world number one defended another two break points at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.

But, after fighting back to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting two chances in the following game to tie the second set at five-all.

Her inability to force a decider impacted her tie-break play, with Rybakina winning every point to win the championship.

The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means she will move up one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world rankings.

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

"It was not the best performance from me today but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," Sabalenka addressed the audience.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Celebrate this beautiful title."