A stunning display from Elena Rybakina toppled World No 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals and take home the biggest single payday in women’s tennis history at $5.23m. Rybakina won her fifth match of the week in Riyadh and saved her best for the final, outplaying Sabalenka to win 6-3 7-6 (7-0) and lift her biggest title since Wimbledon in 2022.
Rybakina’s performance, which combined unstoppable serving and destructive groundstrokes, suggested the 26-year-old could once again compete for grand slam titles following a frustrating period of illness and a loss of form since her last major final at the Australian Open in 2023, where she lost to Sabalenka in three sets.
Sabalenka, who had already secured the year-end No 1, was looking to finish her season in style after winning her fourth grand slam title at the US Open. But she had no answer to Rybakina’s power as the sixth seed claimed an overall prize of $5.23m that was bigger than what Sabalenka did for winning the US Open two months ago.
Follow live reaction from Sabalenka v Rybakina the WTA Finals below
WTA Finals LIVE: Sabalenka v Rybakina latest score
- Elena Rybakina beats Aryna Sabalenka in straight-sets to win WTA Finals
- Rybakina competes unbeaten week to win biggest payday in women's tennis
- CHAMPIONSHIP! Rybakina saves set points and then wins tiebreak 7-0
- FIRST SET! Rybakina wins high-level opener 6-3 against World No 1
- $5.23m is on the line in biggest payday in women's tennis history
- Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens win doubles title
Aryna Sabalenka in tears after missing out on biggest payday in women’s tennis history
18:37 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka smashed her racket and broke into tears after losing to Elena Rybakina in the WTA Finals singles final and missing out on the biggest single payday in women’s tennis history.
Rybakina won her biggest title since lifting Wimbledon in 2022 as the sixth seed produced a stunning performance to win 6-3 7-6 (7-0) against the World No 1 in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Rybakina and Sabalenka both won all three of their round-robin matches to advance to the final undefeated, which meant a record prize of $5,235,000 (£3.98m) was on the line for the champion.
Aryna Sabalenka in tears after missing out on biggest payday in women’s tennis
Rybakina completes hot end to season with WTA Finals title
18:09 , Jamie BraidwoodElena Rybakina was the last player to qualify for the WTA Finals but went on a winning streak to book her place and continued that in Riyadh. She has now won 10 matches in a row, and this performance against Sabalenka in the final shows that she can compete for grand slam titles again.
She will head to the Australian Open, where she reached the final in 2023, ranked No 5 in the world and one of the contenders for the title, without a doubt.
Elena Rybakina wins WTA Finals
18:04 , Jamie BraidwoodAs usual, Rybakina keeps cool even as she wins $5.23 and beats Sabalenka to win her biggest title in three years. Sabalenka is far more emotional as she goes to the side of the court and bursts into tears while talking to her team. She has smashed her racket too.
GAME, SET AND MATCH! Elena Rybakina 6-3 7-6 (7-0) Aryna Sabalenka
18:02 , Jamie BraidwoodRidiculous. Unplayable. Elena Rybakina wins her biggest title since Wimbledon three years ago with a performance that displays why she can win even more grand slams. She has won the WTA Finals!
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
18:00 , Jamie BraidwoodThe errors keep coming from Sabalenka! FIVE points in a row for Rybakina to lead 5-0!
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
17:59 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka goes for an aggressive forehand return crosscourt, but it goes out! Rybakina has won the first three point, to lead 3-0.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
17:58 , Jamie BraidwoodOof. Rybakina finds depth and Sabalenka nets on the opening point. If Rybakina can win her service points, she’ll win the title.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-6 Elena Rybakina
17:57 , Jamie BraidwoodHas the momentum turned? Either way Rybakina keeps cool to hold serve and send this into a tiebreak, thumping another ace en route. Can she keep that level up in the decider?
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 6-5 Elena Rybakina*
17:53 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka puts all of her frustration into the next game, she holds to love to finally get some breathing space!
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 5-5 Elena Rybakina
17:52 , Jamie BraidwoodA horrible miss from Sabalenka, putting a forehand into the net as she stood over the smash! Rybakina saves two set points and this remains on serve.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 5-4 Elena Rybakina*
17:50 , Jamie BraidwoodIncredible! From nowhere, Rybakina’s nerves show and suddenly Sabalenka has two sets points. Rybakina made a double-fault on the opening point, then pulled a forehand wide.
But she digs in on the forehand duel to save the first; then Sabalenka nets on the backhand return! Oh that was a chance and Sabalenka knows it.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 5-4 Elena Rybakina*
17:43 , Jamie BraidwoodAce out wide from Sabalenka! Another massive hold, this time saving two break points. She stays alive.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 4-4 Elena Rybakina
17:41 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina gets up to the net-cord from Sabalenka and produces a lovely touch before Sabalenka goes long on the forehand. 0-30 and a real chance for Rybakina.
And she will get a look at two more break points as she dials the returns at Sabalenka, who pulls her backhand out of play. Massive serving from Sabalenka! An ace down the middle saves them!
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 4-4 Elena Rybakina
17:37 , Jamie BraidwoodA double fault from Rybakina... but she follows it with an ace and backhand winner that screeches past Sabalenka before she even knows it. Rybakina keeps the foot down. 4-4.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 4-3 Elena Rybakina*
17:34 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother close game on the Sabalenka serve, as Rybakina drags Sabalenka to deuce, but the World No 1 finds a forehand winner to keep this second set on serve.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 3-3 Elena Rybakina
17:28 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka ends the run of points on the Rybakina serve but the former Wimbledon champion finds an ace and then two forehand winners in a row. This is unplayable stuff. Sabalenka shakes her head.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 3-2 Elena Rybakina*
17:24 , Jamie BraidwoodBetter from Sabalenka, but Rybakina again got herself into the game by bringing up 30-30. She is taking on the Sabalenka serve and giving the No 1 no time. She does, though, manage to get over the line.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 2-2 Elena Rybakina
17:20 , Jamie BraidwoodAnother love-hold from Rybakina, rattling through the game. A huge serve down the middle draws some ooooohs from the crowd.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 2-1 Elena Rybakina*
17:17 , Jamie BraidwoodThat could be a key hold for Sabalenka, but she still looks frustrated despite winning four points in a row from 15-40. Rybakina missed a couple of chances on the returns.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 1-1 Elena Rybakina
17:15 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka puffs out her cheeks as she finds the net with a forehand. The pressure and consistency from Rybakina forces Sabalenka into another error, and brings up two break points at 15-40.
But Sabalenka saves the first with a big serve and then Rybakina makes the error on the second-serve return!
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 1-1 Elena Rybakina
17:10 , Jamie BraidwoodIf Rybakina keeps up this level of serving she may well be getting her hands on the Billie Jean King trophy. Back-to-back aces from Rybakina, switching middle and wide, as she holds to love.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 1-0 Elena Rybakina*
17:08 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka headed off court after losing the first set - Rybakina makes a leaping return out wide, but Sabalenka puts the forehand away to start the comeback with a hold.
WTA Finals: FIRST SET! *Aryna Sabalenka 3-6 Elena Rybakina
16:59 , Jamie BraidwoodA stunning first set from Rybakina. Three break points saved, five aces, 16 winners, and brilliant, aggressive returning to take the opener 6-3 against Sabalenka.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 3-5 Elena Rybakina*
16:56 , Jamie BraidwoodQuality from Sabalenka to stay in the set, with a forehand winner blasted through the court.
Rybakina will now serve to take a high-level first set.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 2-5 Elena Rybakina
16:54 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina is cruising as she drives a classy backhand down the line. Sabalenka produces three huge serves in a row to get from 0-30 to 40-30, but Rybakina steers a forehand down the line to get to deuce. Rybakina flashes another stunning backhand winner when down break point, screeching the strike crosscourt.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 2-5 Elena Rybakina
16:49 , Jamie BraidwoodWhat a hold from Rybakina. Sabalenka won an excellent exchange by dipping to her left and steering the volley into play, getting to 15-40.
But Rybakina produced two winners on a row down break point, the first a backhand and then an angled forehand out wide that just caught the line.
Sabalenka looked stunned at that.
WTA Finals: BREAK! Aryna Sabalenka 2-4 Elena Rybakina*
16:42 , Jamie BraidwoodA chance for Rybakina: Sabalenka goes long on the forehand duel, bringing up 0-30, and then Sabalenka goes wide on the forehand too.
Three break points and Sabalenka shovels a forehand into the net after an amazing pick-up from Rybakina out wide!
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 2-3 Elena Rybakina
16:39 , Jamie BraidwoodVery good from Rybakina. From deuce, she finds a second-serve ace out wide, then backs it up with another ace to hold. Both players have saved a break point through the first five games.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 2-2 Elena Rybakina*
16:37 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina faces some pressure on serve down 15-30 but produces an excellent volley at the net as Sabalenka looked for the backhand pass.
Sabalenka, though, pushes Rybakina out wide to her forehand and she nets, bringing up break point. Rybakina stays aggressive and saves as Sabalenka floats it long. Deuce.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 2-2 Elena Rybakina*
16:33 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka gets through a love-hold, as Rybakina flies long with her forehand return. But it’s been an engrossing start to this match-up, in the biggest match between the pair since the 2023 Australian Open final.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 1-2 Elena Rybakina
16:29 , Jamie BraidwoodAwesome serving from Rybakina, with back-to-back aces to hold serve from 30-30. She blasts the first down the middle and the second out wide, very hard for Sabalenka to read.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 1-1 Elena Rybakina*
16:26 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka holds. What a start, but Sabalenka shows impressive resilience to deal with Rybakina’s big returns, before taking over with her own power.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 0-1 Elena Rybakina
16:24 , Jamie BraidwoodAn early statement on the returns from Rybakina, crunching the ball back from the baseline and getting her big first-strike in play. It brings up the first break point, but Sabalenka answers fire with fire and directs the backhand up the line. Saved.
WTA Finals: *Aryna Sabalenka 0-1 Elena Rybakina
16:18 , Jamie BraidwoodA couple of returns from Sabalenka fly long of the baseline, as Rybakina holds to get off the board.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka 0-0 Elena Rybakina*
16:14 , Jamie BraidwoodRybakina won the toss and will serve first.
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka v Elena Rybakina
16:08 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka is the World No 1 and has made the WTA Finals a big priority this season, but Elena Rybakina has won nine matches in a row and has nothing to lose as the bids for her biggest title since Wimbledon in 2022.
The players are out on court and the title match is just a few moments away!
WTA Finals: First-time winner to be crowned
16:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka previously reached the WTA Finals final in 2022, where she lost to Caroline Garcia. She is looking to become the first No 1 to win the tournament since Ash Barty.
Elena Rybakina is also trying to win the tournament for the first time, having previously failed to make it out of the group stages. She is attempting to became the fifth player seeded 6th to win the WTA Finals in the last eight editions of the event.
2016 - [7] Dominika Cibulkova
2017 - [6] Caroline Wozniacki
2018 - [6] Elina Svitolina
2019 - [1] Ashleigh Barty
2021 - [6] Garbiñe Muguruza
2022 - [6] Caroline Garcia
2023 - [2] Iga Swiatek
2024 - [3] Coco Gauff
WTA Finals: Aryna Sabalenka to finish year ranked No 1
15:50 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka is already guaranteed to finish as year-end No.1 for the second consecutive year. The four-time grand slam champion is the seventh player to hold the No.1 Ranking for an entire calendar year, joining Stefanie Graf, Serena Williams, Martina Navratilova, Ash Barty, Chris Evert and Monica Seles. An elite list to say the least.
Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens win doubles title
15:47 , Jamie BraidwoodVeronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens are doubles champions at the WTA Finals once again - beating Timea Babos and Luisa Stefani 7-6(4), 6-1. Kudermetova and Mertens win the title for a second time, after their 2022 triumph.
WTA Finals: Sabalenka on showdown with Rybakina
15:40 , Jamie BraidwoodThe WTA Finals title match will pit the two unbeaten players from the tournament, with 2022 finalist Sabalenka holding the edge thanks to her 8-5 head-to-head record against Rybakina including a win when they met in the Australian Open final two years ago.
"It's going to be another powerful match," Sabalenka said as she looked ahead to her ninth final of the season. "I feel like today (against Anisimova) was great preparation for Elena and I'm looking forward to leaving everything I have (on court) in the last match of the season and fight for this beautiful trophy."
Jessica Pegula praises Elena Rybakina after semi-final defeat
15:30 , Jamie Braidwood“She seems like she’s been the most seamless throughout this entire tournament,” Pegula said after her three-set defeat to Rybakina on Friday.
“We all know how she can play, huge game, big serve. I think these conditions definitely suit her.
“Coming off a hot Asian swing where she was kind of under pressure to qualify and all this stuff, it seems like she’s hitting every single mark.”
WTA Finals: Elena Rybakina speaks win over Jessica Pegula
15:20 , Jamie Braidwood“It was such a tough match. She started pretty well, I was a bit slow, it was not easy to come back but I’m glad that I managed to find my way in the second set.”
She served 15 aces, and says: “Definitely the serve when I needed it, it helped me. I was trying to stay focused each point, we had some very tough rallies. I’m really happy that in the end I managed to push myself a bit more and I won.”
She’s into her 22nd career singles final, and first at the WTA Finals.
How WTA Finals compares to grand slams
15:00 , Jamie BraidwoodWTA Finals prize money
Undefeated champion: $5,235,000
Runner-up, with four wins: $2,695,000
Prize money breakdown
Participant fee: $340,000
Round robin win: $355,000
Semi-final win: $1,290,000
Finals win: $2,540,000
Comparison
- WTA Finals champion: $5.235m (£3.98m)
- 2025 US Open champion: $5m (£3.74m)
- 2025 Wimbledon champion: $4m (£3m)
- 2025 French Open champion: $2.9m (£2.17m)
- 2025 Australian Open champion: $2.3m (£1.75m)
WTA Finals prize money: How much is on the line?
14:40 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina will compete for the biggest single payday in women’s tennis history as they bid to win the WTA Finals for the first time in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
Sabalenka and Rybakina both won all three of their round-robin matches to advance to the final undefeated, which means a record prize of $5,235,000 (£3.98m) will be on the line for the champion.
It is more than Sabalenka received for winning the US Open title two months ago, where the World No 1 pocketed an overall prize of $5m (£3.74m) for defeating Amanda Anisimova for her fourth grand slam title.
WTA Finals prize money: How much is on the line in biggest payday in women’s tennis?
WTA Finals: Sabalenka beats Anisimova to advance
14:20 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka won the battle of big-hitters as she downed Amanda Anisimova in a three-set epic and a rematch of their US Open final.
"She's always pushing me to play my best tennis and honestly I wouldn't have cared if I lost this match," Sabalenka said after their semi-final.
"We played an incredible match and both deserved this place in the final. It was an incredible fight. I'm super happy to get the win. I told Amanda that she should be proud of her season."
WTA Finals: Sabalenka v Rybakina head-to-head
14:05 , Jamie BraidwoodSabalenka and Rybakina will be meeting for a 14th time, with Sabalenka currently leading the head-to-head 8-5.
Their last meeting came in the Wuhan quarter-finals, with Sabalenka winning 6-3 6-3. The World No 1 also won their 2023 Australian Open final in three sets.
But their last 10 meetings have been split evenly, with five wins each each.
When is Sabalenka v Rybakina in WTA Finals?
14:02 , Jamie BraidwoodThe match will start from just after 4pm GMT, and will be shown live on Sky Sports Tennis in the UK.
Welcome
14:00 , Jamie BraidwoodAryna Sabalenka and Elena Rybakina renew their rivalry in the WTA Finals title decider, looking to complete an unbeaten week and win the record $5.23m prize pot.
Sabalenka and Rybakina, who previously met in the 2023 Australian Open final, are both looking to win the WTA Finals for the first time and have won all four of their matches so far in Riyadh.
