Rybakina Reigns Supreme in Riyadh
Elena Rybakina has spectacularly reasserted her status as a dominant force in women's tennis, clinching the prestigious WTA Finals title in Riyadh with a commanding victory over world number one Aryna Sabalenka. The former Wimbledon champion produced a week of flawless, powerful tennis, culminating in a straight-sets win of 6-3, 7-6 (0) to lift the trophy.
This victory was particularly significant as Rybakina navigated the entire season-ending tournament without a single defeat across her five matches. Her impeccable performance has been rewarded with the largest financial prize in the history of women's sports, a staggering $5.235 million (£3.98 million).
A Week of Dominance and a Career-Defining Win
For Rybakina, 2025 had been a season of frustration until a late surge secured her qualification for the Finals. She capitalised on that opportunity with what many are calling the finest form of her career, extending her winning streak to 11 consecutive matches. This triumph marks her fourth major title, adding to her previous victories at Wimbledon in 2022, and at Indian Wells and the Italian Open the following year. It is her third title this season and the 11th WTA Tour title of her career overall.
The final was a showcase of Rybakina's overwhelming power. She established herself as the aggressor from the baseline, consistently taking the ball early and unleashing devastating groundstrokes from both wings. Her serve, widely regarded as one of the best in the game, was virtually unbreakable, piling immense pressure on Sabalenka to hold her own service games.
After securing a crucial break in the first set, Rybakina maintained her intensity throughout the second. Despite a fierce fight from Sabalenka, who generated two set points at 5-4, Rybakina demonstrated immense composure. She closed out the match in a one-sided tie-break, finishing with an impressive 36 winners and 13 aces, while limiting her opponent to just 12 winners.
Looking Ahead: Rybakina's Place Among the Elite
Since her breakthrough Wimbledon win, Rybakina's journey has been closely watched. Despite being frequently mentioned alongside the likes of Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, and Coco Gauff, her results have sometimes been inconsistent, hampered by injuries and off-court disruptions. However, her talent has never been in doubt.
This resounding victory in Riyadh, achieved with such dominant and consistent play, firmly re-establishes her within the elite group of women's tennis. It positions her as a major threat for the 2026 season and proves she can deliver her best tennis on the grandest stages.
Elsewhere in the Tennis World
In other tennis news, Novak Djokovic captured his 101st career title at the Hellenic Championships in Athens. In a physically demanding final, he recovered from a set down to defeat Italy's Lorenzo Musetti 4-6, 6-3, 7-5. The victory also had implications for the upcoming ATP Finals, as it prevented Musetti from automatically qualifying for the tournament in Turin.
There was disappointment for Britain's Cameron Norrie in the Moselle Open final. He suffered a heartbreaking loss to fast-rising American Learner Tien, 6-3, 3-6, 7-6 (6). Norrie led 5-1 in the final set tie-break but ultimately fell short. Despite the defeat, 2025 has been a resurgent year for Norrie, who has climbed back to a year-end ranking of No. 27 after falling out of the top 90 earlier in the season.
