- Kazakh star claims record £4m prize, setting new benchmark in women’s tennis
Elena Rybakina produced a breathtaking performance to defeat world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) in the WTA Finals final in Saudi Arabia. The 26-year-old’s win marks the biggest payday in women’s tennis history, with a record £3.98 million on offer, surpassing Sabalenka’s £3.74m from her US Open triumph earlier this year.
Rybakina, who entered the match as world number six, dominated the first set with 16 winners, holding her nerve on crucial points and saving two break chances in the sixth game to go a break up. Despite Sabalenka rallying in the second set and saving two break points at 4-4, she squandered two set points later, allowing Rybakina to take control and sweep the tiebreak 7-0. The victory, Rybakina’s sixth over Sabalenka, also boosts her world ranking to fifth.
Rybakina’s landmark triumph caps a remarkable season and sets a new financial benchmark for the women’s game, highlighting the growing prominence and prize equality in professional tennis.
