Elena Rybakina Stuns Aryna Sabalenka to Win Record £4 Million Prize

Elena Rybakina secured the biggest reward in women's tennis history by overcoming top-ranked Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.

Rybakina delivered a stunning display to overcome four-times major winner Sabalenka in two sets in the host country.

Because both players advanced through the competition undefeated, the prize money on offer was a record-breaking almost £4 million – the biggest prize offering in WTA the sport's history.

This amount exceeds the £3.74 million Sabalenka earned for winning September's US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in the current year.

"It's been an amazing tournament," stated the Kazakh player.

"Truly didn't expect this outcome so to go so far was just incredible."

"Let me offer praise to Sabalenka for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year running, it's an incredible accomplishment."

The champion, who was the world number six, delivered sixteen winners during a impressive opening set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two break points before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to seal the opening set.

With the second set on serve, the world number one defended another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering two set points in the following game to tie the second set at 5-5.

Her inability to level the match impacted her tie-break play, with Rybakina taking all seven points to claim the title.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over Sabalenka, means Rybakina will move up one place in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she sat with her coaching team shortly after the final.

"That was not the best performance from me today but Elena you were certainly the better player," Sabalenka told the audience.

"You really smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."