Elena Rybakina Upsets Aryna Sabalenka to Secure Historic £4m Payout
Elena Rybakina secured her forty-fifth hard court victory of 2025
Rybakina secured the largest prize in WTA history by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old delivered a impressive performance to beat four-time major champion Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.
Because each competitor advanced through the tournament undefeated, the prize money on offer was a historic £3.98m – the largest payout offering in women's tennis history.
The prize money surpasses the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for claiming September's US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in the current year.
"This has been an incredible tournament," said Rybakina.
"I honestly didn't expect any result so to reach the final was just unbelievable."
"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."
Rybakina, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen winning shots during a dominant first-set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two break points before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to seal the first set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended another two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favour.
However, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by squandering two set points in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to level the match affected her tie-break play, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to claim the title.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the rankings to fifth in the world.
A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she sat with her team soon after the final.
"It was not the best display from me in this match but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian addressed the audience.
"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."
