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Rybakina claimed the largest payday in WTA history by beating top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old delivered a stunning performance to beat four-times major champion Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Since each competitor advanced through the tournament undefeated, the reward on the table was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the biggest payout awarded in WTA the sport's history.

This amount exceeds the £3.74m the Belarusian won for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"This has been an amazing week," stated the Kazakh player.

"I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to go so far was just incredible."

"I want to say praise to Aryna for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an incredible achievement."

Rybakina, who was the world number six, delivered sixteen winners during a dominant opening set performance.

Rybakina saved two chances before winning every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the opening 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 Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by wasting a pair of chances in the following game to level the second set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to level the match impacted her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to win the championship.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one place in the rankings to fifth in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she met with her team shortly after the final.

"That was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were certainly the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the crowd.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning title."