RIYADH, Saudi Arabia — In a dazzling display of skill, Elena Rybakina clinched the WTA Finals title by overcoming the top-seeded Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (0) on Saturday.
The sixth-ranked Rybakina fired down eight aces and capitalized on the only break opportunity of the match at the indoor hardcourt venue in Riyadh.
“What an extraordinary week it has been! I never imagined I would make it this far,” Rybakina expressed, reflecting on her remarkable journey that included victories over illustrious players like No. 2-seeded Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, and Jessica Pegula.
This marked Sabalenka’s second defeat in the finals of the season-ending tournament, as she previously fell to Caroline Garcia in the 2022 championship match.
Rybakina, who claimed the Wimbledon title in 2022, was competing in her first title match after making her third consecutive WTA Finals appearance.
She secured a staggering $5.23 million prize, becoming the first woman to achieve such a significant payout in sports history after going undefeated (5-0) in the event featuring the top eight female competitors. Meanwhile, Sabalenka earned $2.7 million as the runner-up.
Rybakina gained a crucial break for a 4-2 advantage in the opening set, with Sabalenka managing to fend off four break points in the second set to push the match into a tiebreaker. Despite entering the match with an impressive 22–2 tiebreak record this year, she was unable to score in this crucial moment, ultimately hitting a backhand return long to seal her fate.
With this victory, Rybakina recorded her tour-leading 45th hardcourt win of the season. The 26-year-old from Kazakhstan became the 10th consecutive first-time winner at the WTA Finals and will conclude the year at a career-high No. 5 in the rankings with a 58–19 record and three titles to her name.
Sabalenka will retain her No. 1 ranking for the second consecutive season. Throughout the year, she bagged four titles, including the coveted U.S. Open trophy, and notched an impressive 63 match wins, in addition to reaching the finals at both the French Open and Australian Open.
“She played incredibly well,” Sabalenka commented on Rybakina’s performance. “I did my utmost, and while it didn’t go as planned, there are many aspects I can take pride in. I leave this tournament feeling content.”
