Rybakina Reigns Supreme in Riyadh
Elena Rybakina has spectacularly reasserted her status among the elite of women's tennis, delivering a commanding performance to overcome world number one Aryna Sabalenka and secure the prestigious WTA Finals trophy in Riyadh. The former Wimbledon champion produced a stunning display of power tennis, triumphing 6-3, 7-6 (0) in a final that showcased her devastating best.
A Flawless Campaign and Historic Payday
Rybakina's victory caps a remarkable week where she remained unbeaten throughout the entire tournament, winning all five of her matches. This flawless campaign has earned the Russian-born Kazakhstani player a monumental payday of $5.235 million (£3.98 million), setting a new record for the largest prize money haul in the history of women's sports.
This triumph in Saudi Arabia represents Rybakina's fourth major career title, adding to her 2022 Wimbledon victory and her subsequent wins at Indian Wells and the Italian Open. It is her third title of the 2025 season and elevates her overall WTA Tour title count to an impressive 11.
Overpowering the World Number One
The final was a masterclass in aggressive tennis. Facing an opponent known for her own formidable power, Rybakina proved once again that she possesses the weapons to outhit even Sabalenka. The foundation of her victory was an impenetrable serve, which she backed up with relentless, deep groundstrokes from both wings.
Rybakina struck an incredible 36 winners, including 13 aces, while restricting Sabalenka to a mere 12 winners. She consistently took the first strike in rallies, stepping inside the baseline to dictate play and giving the Belarusian little time to organise her own powerful shots. After securing a crucial break in the first set, Rybakina maintained intense pressure throughout the second, ultimately dominating the tie-break without conceding a single point.
Sabalenka fought valiantly, even earning two set points at 5-4 in the second set, but Rybakina demonstrated immense composure to save them and close out the match at a breathtaking level.
A Resurgent End to the Season
This victory marks a spectacular resurgence for Rybakina, whose place in the season-ending tournament was uncertain just weeks ago after a patchy year. She secured her qualification with a brilliant late-season run and has now won her last 11 consecutive matches, showcasing the formidable talent that has long seen her discussed alongside Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff.
While her career since the 2022 Wimbledon win has been punctuated by near-misses at major events and off-court disruptions—including the temporary suspension of her coach—there has never been any doubt about the sheer potency of her game. With this statement victory, Rybakina has firmly repositioned herself at the pinnacle of the sport and built formidable momentum heading into the 2026 season.
