Elena Rybakina wins the the highest prize money amount in WTA history

One of Elena Rybakina's greatest accomplishments occurred at the 2025 WTA Finals, and she received an amount never previously seen in women's tennis for it.

Rybakina won her most significant title since the 2022 Wimbledon Championships in Riyadh. The Kazakhstani overcame Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 after an incredible tournament where she did not lose a match.

Achieving that would have been a great feeling regardless of any other factors. Questions had been raised about Rybakina's ability to win big titles again after her level dropped for 12 months until improvements before the 2025 US Open.

However, her prize money award for triumphing at the year-end championships made it an even more memorable moment. Rybakina earned $5.235 million for reigning supreme without dropping a set in Riyadh.

That is the most significant prize money reward ever given to a female tennis player. The record amount has changed three times during the past 12 months, showing how the financial rewards for WTA stars are increasing.

Coco Gauff taking home $4.805 million for winning the 2024 WTA Finals was a record until Aryna Sabalenka received $5 million after retaining her US Open title. Rybakina's reward at this year's WTA Finals has raised the bar again.

Rybakina also moved up to No. 20 in the all-time career prize money list after that triumph. She overtook legendary figures like Martina Navratilova, Steffi Graf, Justine Henin, and Ashleigh Barty.

The record being broken at the WTA Finals for a second time is a consequence of holding it in Saudi Arabia. The country's involvement in various sports has led to increases in prize money wherever it has been involved.

That benefit is undeniable, but some still have concerns about Saudi Arabia using sport to distract from its poor human rights record. The ATP announcing a Masters 1000 in the country shows nothing is going to change, regardless of how fans feel.

In her press conference after beating Aryna Sabalenka to win her maiden WTA Finals title, a reporter asked Rybakina how she felt about earning $5.235 for going unbeaten in the tournament. It is an unprecedented amount in WTA history.

The video below shows Rybakina's reaction to the prize money being mentioned. Her wide smile told the story, especially since the 26-year-old is usually among the quietest and least expressive players in tennis.

Despite claiming she was not thinking much about the money, Rybakina acknowledged it is great for her and revealed she wanted to celebrate the trophy and the money she earned with her team and family.

Rybakina's triumph in Riyadh adds another layer of intrigue ahead of 2025. There were four different Grand Slam winners, and Mirra Andreeva enjoyed a breakthrough by securing two WTA 1000 titles. Rybakina reminded fans of how good she is at the WTA Finals.