Rybakina Defeats Sabalenka to Claim Historic £4 Million Payout
Rybakina sealed her forty-fifth hard-court triumph of 2025
Rybakina claimed the greatest payday in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.
The 26-year-old delivered a stunning display to overcome four-times major winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.
Since each competitor came through the event undefeated, the purse on offer was a unprecedented £3.98m – the biggest prize offering in WTA history.
This amount tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian won for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.
"It's been an amazing tournament," said the Kazakh player.
"Truly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just incredible."
"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 winning shots during a impressive first-set display.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two chances before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to win the opening set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.
However, after fighting back to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the following game to tie the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to take home the title.
The victory, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team soon after the match.
"It was not the finest display from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the superior player," Sabalenka addressed the crowd.
"You literally overpowered me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this beautiful trophy."