Elena Rybakina has cemented her place among the elite in women’s tennis by overpowering Aryna Sabalenka to win the 2025 WTA Finals in Riyadh. The former Wimbledon champion produced a flawless performance, defeating Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (0) to claim one of the most prestigious titles of her career.
Rybakina finished the tournament unbeaten, winning all five of her matches and taking home a record £3.98 million, the largest prize in women’s sports history. This triumph marks the 26-year-old Kazakhstani’s fourth major title, following victories at Wimbledon in 2022, Indian Wells, and the Italian Open in 2023. It is also her third title of the season and the 11th overall on the WTA Tour.
After a challenging 2025, Rybakina’s late surge in form allowed her to qualify for the season-ending event. She carried that momentum into Riyadh, winning 11 consecutive matches and demonstrating her exceptional skill and resilience. Against Sabalenka, Rybakina’s serve was virtually untouchable, and her aggressive baseline play kept the world No. 1 constantly on the defensive.
In the first set, Rybakina broke Sabalenka’s second serve decisively and maintained relentless pressure throughout. The second set saw Sabalenka fight back, generating two set points at 5-4, but Rybakina held firm and closed out the match with remarkable composure. She struck 36 winners, including 13 aces, while limiting Sabalenka to just 12 winners.
Rybakina’s consistency and powerful serving have long been recognized, but her ability to perform at the highest level during crucial tournaments has previously been questioned. Recent off-court challenges, including the temporary suspension of her coach, Stefano Vukov, had unsettled her, but this victory signals a resurgence in her career and positions her as a strong contender for 2026.
With this triumph, Elena Rybakina reaffirms her place among tennis’s elite, joining the ranks of top players like Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff. Her dominance at the WTA Finals highlights both her technical prowess and mental fortitude, making her one of the standout performers of the 2025 season.
