Rybakina Upsets Sabalenka to Claim Record £4 Million Prize
Rybakina earned her 45th hard-court triumph of the year
Elena Rybakina secured the greatest prize in WTA all time by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.
The 26-year-old produced a impressive display to overcome four-times major champion Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.
Because both players advanced through the event undefeated, the purse on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the biggest payout awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.
The reward exceeds the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for claiming the US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in the current year.
"It's been an incredible week," said Rybakina.
"Truly couldn't have predicted any result so to win the title was just remarkable."
"I want to say congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible accomplishment."
The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit 16 winning shots during a commanding opening set display.
The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off two chances before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and served out to secure the first set.
With the second set on serve, the world number one saved two opportunities at 4-4 to shift the balance in her favor.
But, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, the top seed failed to capitalize by squandering two set points in the following game to tie the second set at five-all.
Sabalenka's failure to force a decider impacted her tie-break performance, with Rybakina winning all seven points to take home the title.
The victory, her sixth triumph over Sabalenka, means she will rise one spot in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world rankings.
An emotional the runner-up appeared to be in tears as she met with her team soon after the match.
"That was not the best display from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the better competitor," the Belarusian addressed the crowd.
"You literally overpowered me on court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this stunning title."
