Elena Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Win Historic £4 Million Prize
Rybakina earned her 45th hard court triumph of 2025
Elena Rybakina won the biggest prize in women's tennis history by overcoming top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.
The 26-year-old produced a impressive display to overcome four-time major champion her opponent in two sets in the host country.
Since both players came through the event without a loss, the prize money on the table was a record-breaking £3.98m – the highest payout offering in women's tennis history.
The prize money tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for winning the New York major, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.
"This has been an fantastic tournament," stated Rybakina.
"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to reach the final was just unbelievable."
"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year running, it's an outstanding accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit 16 winning shots during a dominant opening set display.
Rybakina saved two break points before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the first set.
As the second set progressed, the world number one defended another two opportunities at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.
But, after fighting back to upset Rybakina's rhythm, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of chances in the next game to level the second set at 5-5.
Her inability to force a decider impacted her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh winning all seven points to claim the championship.
The victory, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one place in the rankings to fifth in the world rankings.
A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her coaching team shortly after the final.
"That was not the finest display from me today but Elena you were definitely the superior player," Sabalenka addressed the audience.
"You really smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful title."
