Elena Rybakina achieved a significant milestone in her career by winning the WTA Finals in Riyadh, marking her biggest title since her triumph at Wimbledon in 2022. She defeated world number one Aryna Sabalenka with a score of 6-3, 7-6 (7-0), showcasing her exceptional serving skills throughout the match.
As the first player from Kazakhstan and the first representing an Asian country to win the WTA Finals singles trophy, Rybakina’s performance stood out. She finished the tournament with a perfect 3-0 record in round-robin play, earning a record prize of $5.235 million and concluding the year with a ranking of number five globally.
Reflecting on her journey, Rybakina expressed disbelief at her success, especially considering she played through a shoulder injury. This season, she led the tour with 516 aces, hitting 13 against Sabalenka and finishing the event with a total of 48 aces.
Rybakina’s path to the finals included pivotal victories, notably a 500-level title in Ningbo and a semifinal appearance in Tokyo. Her current winning streak now stands at 11 matches, improving her head-to-head record against Sabalenka to 6-8.
Interestingly, Rybakina’s relationship with the WTA has been strained, stemming from the suspension of her coach, Stefano Vukov, earlier this year. Although Vukov was initially suspended for a year, he successfully appealed the decision and returned to her coaching team in August.
After the final, Rybakina chose not to participate in a ceremonial photo alongside Sabalenka and WTA CEO Portia Archer, stating she preferred to keep the reasons behind her decision private. When asked about potential reconciliation talks with the tour, Rybakina said discussions were had, but no substantive agreements were reached.
The final between Rybakina and Sabalenka was their 14th showdown as part of an intriguing rivalry that dates back to 2019. Entering the match, Rybakina was riding a 10-match winning streak, with her last defeat coming at the hands of Sabalenka in Wuhan just weeks prior.
From the outset, both players demonstrated their powerful playing styles, trading blows evenly through the first five games. Rybakina’s defensive skills proved decisive, leading to Sabalenka’s error and a critical break of serve in the sixth game, which allowed Rybakina to secure the first set in 44 minutes.
Serving strongly in the second set, Rybakina dropped only two points across her first four service games. Although Sabalenka faced challenges on her serve, she managed to save four break points, including two crucial ones at 4-4. The pressure intensified when Sabalenka got two set points on Rybakina’s serve but failed to convert, with Rybakina leveling the score to 5-5.
The set proceeded to a tiebreak, where Rybakina triumphed decisively, clinching the win after one hour and 47 minutes of play. Rybakina recorded 36 winners against 22 unforced errors, underlining her dominance on court.
For her part, despite the loss, Sabalenka achieved a new WTA Tour record for the most prize money earned in a single season, accumulating over $15 million. During the trophy ceremony, she graciously acknowledged Rybakina’s superior performance, stating, “You literally smashed me out of the court,” while also reflecting emotionally on her season and her team’s efforts.