Elena Rybakina etched her name in the annals of tennis history with a spectacular victory over Aryna Sabalenka in the final of the WTA Finals, held in Riyadh. The match concluded with Rybakina triumphing 6-3, 7-6(0), ultimately securing her first WTA Finals title and a staggering prize of $5.235 million, the largest ever awarded in women’s tennis.
This championship was pivotal for Rybakina, who had entered the tournament as the last qualifier. Throughout the week, she demonstrated exceptional resilience and skill, culminating in an impressive unbeaten record. Rybakina’s performance was characterized by powerful serving and strategic shot placement, allowing her to outmaneuver the world No. 1, Sabalenka, who is renowned for her aggressive baseline game.
In the first set, Rybakina faced a challenge as Sabalenka held two set points in a critical tenth game. However, Rybakina showcased her mental fortitude by saving those points and subsequently taking control of the match through a dominant tiebreaker, where she showcased her serving prowess with ace after ace. Rybakina hit a remarkable total of 13 aces during the match, further solidifying her reputation as one of the tour’s fiercest servers.
Post-match, Rybakina expressed her satisfaction with her performance, acknowledging the difficulty of competing against Sabalenka’s formidable serve. “I was just trying to be solid from the beginning to the end,” Rybakina commented in her interview. She reflected on the mental and physical demands of the match, grateful for the outcome after a challenging start to her season.
This victory marks yet another instance of a first-time champion being crowned at the WTA Finals, a streak that has now reached ten consecutive years. Rybakina’s winning performance flip-flopped the typical narrative, as she seized the center of the court, transforming the dynamics of the match traditionally dominated by Sabalenka.
Despite her defeat, Sabalenka had much to celebrate as she closed her season as the year-end No. 1 for the second consecutive year, earning a remarkable $15 million in total prize money for 2025. Reflecting on the final, she graciously acknowledged Rybakina’s superior play: “You literally smashed me out of the court. Very well done. I’m happy to see you play your best tennis.”
As the curtain falls on the 2025 WTA season, Rybakina’s triumph in Riyadh serves as a potent reminder of her rising star power in women’s tennis, leaving fans eager for her journey in the upcoming season.
