Rybakina shines in Riyadh, wins biggest title of her career

Kazakhstan’s Elena Rybakina capped a sensational week with a commanding victory over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to win the WTA Finals title on Saturday, sealing the biggest triumph of her career.

Rybakina, ranked sixth, delivered a near-flawless performance to beat Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) on the indoor hardcourt, showcasing her trademark power and composure under pressure. The 2022 Wimbledon champion fired eight aces and converted the only break of the match, closing out the second set in a one-sided tiebreaker.

“It’s been an incredible week. I didn’t expect to go this far, so lifting the trophy feels unreal,” said a beaming Rybakina, who also defeated Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, and Jessica Pegula en route to the title.

The victory not only gave Rybakina her third title of the year but also made her the 10th consecutive first-time champion at the season-ending event featuring the world’s top eight players. She finished the tournament unbeaten (5-0) and pocketed a record USD 5.23 million, the highest prize in women’s sports history.

Sabalenka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, suffered her second defeat in a WTA Finals title match after losing to Caroline Garcia in 2022. Despite the setback, the Belarusian will end the year as world No. 1 for the second straight season, having captured four titles, including the U.S. Open.

Rybakina’s triumph marked her tour-leading 45th hardcourt win of the year, capping a remarkable 58–19 season that will see her rise to a career-high ranking of No. 5.

“She played incredibly,” Sabalenka admitted. “I gave my best, but she was just too good today. There’s a lot I can still be proud of.”

For Rybakina, the Riyadh victory cements her as one of tennis’s brightest stars and signals a powerful statement heading into the 2026 season.