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Rybakina upsets Sabalenka to claim record £4m prize

Related Topics: Elena Rybakina, Aryna Sabalenka

Elena Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in women's tennis history by beating world number one Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets in the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old produced a stunning display to overcome four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Because both players came through the tournament undefeated, the prize money on offer was a record-breaking £3.98m - the largest payout offering in women's tennis history.

The prize money tops the £3.74m Sabalenka, 27, earned for winning September's US Open, which was the highest-paying Grand Slam in 2025.

Rybakina, who was the world number six, hit 16 winners during a dominant first-set display.