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Rybakina claimed the biggest payday in WTA all time by beating world number one Sabalenka in two sets at the tournament.

The 26-year-old produced a brilliant performance to beat four-times Grand Slam winner her opponent in two sets in Saudi Arabia.

Since each competitor advanced through the event undefeated, the prize money on the table was a historic £3.98 million – the biggest prize awarded in WTA the sport's history.

This amount tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian earned for claiming September's US Open, which was the highest-paying major tournament in 2025.

"It's been an fantastic week," commented Rybakina.

"Truly didn't expect any result so to go so far was just remarkable."

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

The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, delivered sixteen winning shots during a commanding opening set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved a couple of chances before winning all four points in the sixth game of the set to go a break up and held her serve to win the opening set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended two break points at 4-4 to swing the momentum in her favour.

However, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by squandering a pair of set points in the following game to level the set at five-all.

Her inability to level the match impacted her tiebreak performance, with Rybakina taking every point to win the title.

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

A distraught Sabalenka was seen crying as she met with her coaching team soon after the match.

"That was not the finest performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the better competitor," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You literally smashed me on court. I'm pleased to see you play your best tennis. Celebrate this stunning trophy."