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Elena Rybakina won the largest payday in women's tennis all time by defeating world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old delivered a impressive display to defeat four-times Grand Slam winner Sabalenka in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Because both players came through the event undefeated, the purse on the table was a historic £3.98 million – the highest payout offering in women's tennis the sport's history.

This amount tops the £3.74 million Sabalenka won for winning the US Open, which was the most lucrative major tournament in 2025.

"This has been an amazing tournament," commented Rybakina.

"I honestly didn't expect this outcome so to win the title was just incredible."

"Let me offer congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."

The champion, who was the world number six, delivered 16 winners during a commanding first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off two break points before taking every point in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the first set.

As the second set progressed, the world number one saved two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favour.

But, after fighting back to disrupt Rybakina's rhythm, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting a pair of set points in the following game to tie the set at 5-5.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider affected her tiebreak play, with the Kazakh taking every point to claim the championship.

The victory, her sixth triumph over her rival, means Rybakina will rise one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught the runner-up was seen crying as she sat with her team soon after the final.

"That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Elena you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the audience.

"You really smashed me on court. I'm happy to see you at your peak. Celebrate this beautiful title."