Elena Rybakina Defeats Aryna Sabalenka to Win Record £4m Prize
Rybakina earned her forty-fifth hard court win of 2025
Rybakina won the biggest payday in WTA all time by overcoming top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.
Rybakina produced a stunning display to beat four-times major champion her opponent in two sets in the host country.
Because each competitor came through the competition without a loss, the reward on the table was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the biggest payout offering in WTA history.
The reward exceeds the £3.74m Sabalenka earned for claiming September's New York major, which was the most lucrative major tournament in the current year.
"This has been an incredible week," stated Rybakina.
"I honestly didn't expect any result so to win the title was just incredible."
"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible achievement."
The champion, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winners during a commanding opening set performance.
Rybakina saved two chances before winning every point in the sixth game to take the break and served out to win the first set.
As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two set points in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.
Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tie-break performance, with Rybakina winning every point to win the title.
This win, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the rankings to number five in the world rankings.
A distraught the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she met with her team soon after the final.
"It was not the finest display from me today but Elena you were certainly the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.
"You really smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this stunning trophy."