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Rybakina secured the largest payday in WTA all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the tournament.

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

Since each competitor advanced through the competition without a loss, the reward on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the biggest payout awarded in WTA history.

The reward tops the £3.74m the Belarusian received for winning the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

"This has been an amazing week," stated Rybakina.

"Truly couldn't have predicted this outcome so to reach the final was just remarkable."

"I want to say congratulations to Sabalenka for being number one for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an tremendous achievement."

The champion, who was the sixth-ranked player, hit sixteen winning shots during a commanding first-set display.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner fended off a couple of chances before taking all four points in the sixth game of the set to take the break and held her serve to win the first set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka saved two break points at four-all to swing the momentum in her favor.

However, after fighting back to upset her opponent's flow, Sabalenka failed to capitalize by squandering two chances in the following game to level the set at 5-5.

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

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

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

"It was not the best performance from me in this match but Rybakina you were certainly the better player," Sabalenka told the audience.

"You really overpowered me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Enjoy this stunning title."