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Rybakina secured the largest payday in women's tennis all time by overcoming world number one Sabalenka in straight sets at the championship.

Rybakina delivered a brilliant display to defeat four-time major winner Sabalenka 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in Saudi Arabia.

Since both players advanced through the event undefeated, the reward on the table was a unprecedented £3.98 million – the highest prize awarded in women's tennis the sport's history.

The prize money tops the £3.74 million the Belarusian received for claiming the US Open, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

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

"I honestly couldn't have predicted any result so to win the title was just remarkable."

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

The champion, who was the world number six, delivered 16 winning shots during a impressive first-set performance.

The 2022 Wimbledon winner saved two chances before taking all four points in the sixth game to take the break and held her serve to seal the opening set.

With the second set on serve, Sabalenka defended another two break points at four-all to shift the balance in her favor.

However, having worked so hard to upset her opponent's flow, the top seed let her opponent off the hook by squandering a pair of chances in the next game to level the set at five-all.

Sabalenka's failure to force a decider impacted her tie-break performance, with the Kazakh winning every point to win the title.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means she will move up one spot in the WTA rankings to number five in the world.

A distraught Sabalenka appeared to be in tears as she sat with her team shortly after the final.

"It was not the finest performance from me today but Rybakina you were definitely the superior competitor," the Belarusian told the crowd.

"You literally smashed me out of the court. I'm pleased to see you at your peak. Celebrate this stunning title."