Elena Rybakina claimed her biggest title since Wimbledon 2022 by defeating world number one Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (7/0) at the WTA Finals in Riyadh on Saturday. The world number six became the first Kazakh and the first player representing an Asian country to lift the prestigious WTA Finals singles trophy.
Rybakina showcased her serving prowess and solid returns throughout the match, firing 13 aces against Sabalenka and finishing the week with a total of 48 aces. Having gone 3-0 in round-robin play, she earned a record $5.235 million and will finish the year ranked number five globally.
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The final was a high-intensity duel, with Rybakina breaking Sabalenka once in the opening set and holding her serve dominantly in the second. The match concluded in a tiebreak, highlighting Rybakina’s resilience and tactical superiority over the 14th meeting between the two rivals.
Following the victory, Rybakina declined a ceremonial photo with Sabalenka and WTA CEO Portia Archer, citing ongoing tensions with the tour over her coach Stefano Vukov’s earlier suspension. Despite the controversy, she remained focused on her performance and team, celebrating a remarkable comeback after battling a shoulder injury.
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Even in defeat, Sabalenka set a new WTA record for single-season prize money, earning over $15 million. Emotional after the final, Sabalenka reflected on her team’s efforts: “Maybe not the result we all wanted today, but so many things… So many things to be proud of.”