🔗 Share this article

Elena Rybakina won the greatest prize in women's tennis all time by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.

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

Because both players advanced through the competition without a loss, the purse on the table was a record-breaking £3.98 million – the largest prize offering in WTA history.

The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

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

"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to reach the final was just unbelievable."

"I want to say congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second year in a row, it's an incredible achievement."

The champion, who was the world number six, delivered sixteen winners during a dominant first-set performance.

Rybakina fended off two break points before taking every point in the sixth game to take the break and served out to win the opening set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of chances in the next game to tie the second set at five-all.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to win the championship.

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

An emotional Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her team soon after the final.

"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the superior player," the Belarusian addressed the audience.

"You literally smashed me on court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."