Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payout in women’s tennis history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.
The 26-year-old produced a stunning display to overcome four-time grand slam winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.
Since both players came through the tournament unbeaten, the prize money on offer was a record-breaking £3.98m – the biggest payout in women’s tennis history.
The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka, 27, earned for winning the US Open, which will be the highest-paid grand slam in 2025.
Rybakina, who is the world number six, hit 16 winners in a dominant first set performance.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two break points before winning all four points in the sixth game to serve out the first set.
With the second set on serve, Sabalenka saved two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favor.
However, working hard to upset Rybakina’s rhythm, Sabalenka allowed her opponent to waste two set games in the second game at 5-5.
Sabalenka’s failure to level the match affected her performance in the tie-break, with Rybakina, of Kazakhstan, winning all seven points.
The win, Sabalenka’s sixth, means she will move up one place to fifth in the world.
An undeterred Sabalenka, of Belarus, showed tears as she sat with her coaching team after the match.