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Elena Rybakina won the greatest prize in WTA all time by overcoming top-ranked Aryna Sabalenka in two sets at the WTA Finals.

The 26-year-old produced a brilliant performance to overcome four-time Grand Slam champion her opponent 6-3 7-6 (7-0) in the host country.

Because each competitor came through the competition without a loss, the prize money on offer was a unprecedented almost £4 million – the largest prize awarded in WTA the sport's history.

The prize money exceeds the £3.74m Sabalenka won for claiming the New York major, which was the most lucrative Grand Slam in 2025.

"This has been an fantastic tournament," said the Kazakh player.

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

"Let me offer congratulations to Aryna for holding the top spot for a second consecutive year in a row, it's an incredible accomplishment."

The champion, who was the world number six, hit sixteen winning shots during a dominant first-set display.

Rybakina saved two break points before taking every point in the sixth game to go a break up and served out to win the opening set.

As the second set progressed, Sabalenka defended two opportunities at four-all to swing the momentum in her favour.

But, having worked so hard to disrupt her opponent's flow, Sabalenka let her opponent off the hook by wasting two chances in the next game to level the set at five-all.

Her inability to force a decider affected her tiebreak performance, with the Kazakh taking all seven points to take home the championship.

This win, Rybakina's sixth over her rival, means she will rise one spot in the WTA rankings to fifth in the world.

An emotional the runner-up was seen crying as she met with her team soon after the match.

"It was not the best performance from me today but Elena you were certainly the superior player," Sabalenka told the crowd.

"You really smashed me out of the court. I'm happy to see you play your best tennis. Enjoy this beautiful trophy."