Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Claim Record £4m Reward
Rybakina sealed her forty-fifth hard-court triumph of the year
Elena Rybakina won the largest payday in women's tennis all time by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the championship.
Rybakina delivered a impressive performance to overcome four-time Grand Slam champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Because each competitor came through the event undefeated, the prize money on offer was a unprecedented £3.98m – the largest payout offering in women's tennis history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for winning the US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in 2025.
"It's been an incredible week," said the Kazakh player.
"I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to win the title was just remarkable."
"I want to say congratulations to Aryna for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an outstanding achievement."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered 16 winners during a commanding opening set display.
Rybakina fended off a couple of break points before winning every point in the sixth game of the set to take the break and served out to secure the opening set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one saved another two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
However, after fighting back to upset Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of set points in the next game to tie the set at five-all.
Her inability to level the match impacted her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to win the championship.
This win, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.
A distraught the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her coaching team shortly after the match.
"It was not the best display from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the better competitor," Sabalenka told the audience.
"You literally overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning trophy."
