Elena Rybakina Defeats Aryna Sabalenka to Win Historic £4m Payout
Elena Rybakina earned her 45th hard-court triumph of 2025
Elena Rybakina won the largest prize in WTA history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.
Rybakina delivered a stunning performance to overcome four-times Grand Slam champion Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.
Because both players advanced through the tournament undefeated, the purse on the table was a record-breaking almost £4 million – the largest payout offering in women's tennis the sport's history.
The reward surpasses the £3.74m Sabalenka earned for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in the current year.
"This has been an fantastic tournament," said the Kazakh player.
"I honestly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just unbelievable."
"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an outstanding achievement."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off two chances before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to secure the opening set.
With the second set on serve, the world number one saved two opportunities at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to upset Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of chances in the next game to tie the set at 5-5.
Her inability to force a decider affected her tie-break play, with Rybakina taking all seven points to take home the championship.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means she will move up one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.
An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her team shortly after the match.
"That was not the finest performance from me today but Elena you were definitely the superior player," Sabalenka told the audience.
"You literally smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this beautiful title."
