Elena Rybakina is the new WTA Finals champion! » Perfect week and victory with the WTA leader in the last act

The 2025 season would end, regardless of the winner of the WTA Finals in Riyadh, with a new champion of champions. Aryna Sabalenkathe confirmed world leader, had played in the last act in 2022, being defeated by Caroline Garcia, meanwhile retired from tennis. Elena Rybakina surpassed the groups for the first time this year, for the third consecutive appearance.

It was difficult to predict who would win. Both had cruised through the groups with three wins from as many matches, displaying their play, qualities and ambition at the highest, if microscopic, level. If at Sabalenka it was expected, following the high consistency this season, for Rybakina it seems the ideal week has come together.

Elena Rybakina and the perfect week in Riyadh

One that continued for the Kazakh in the first set of the final. Everything he could do in the Kazakh superlative, he executed with supreme calmness. He responded to the force of Arya's blows by absorbing it and then turning it into long-range, short-angle crossbow swords, wherever he saw fit at the time.

And accordingly he turned into a winner in a greater proportion than the opponent. A compact, serene and powerful tennis played quietly, while the other side of the Sabalenka net shouted, chewed, kneaded, decomposed its frustration. After saving a break point in the fifth game, Elena won against serve immediately, then broke to 5-2chasing away two other chances of the opponent.

The inaugural act closed with 6-3 in favor of Elena Rybakina, who collected five aces to one, defended her serve superiorly and neutralized Aryna Sabalenka's initiatives at important moments.

It was difficult for things to stay that way in the next set. The world leader has grown in expressiveness, gestural and facial, but also in the efficiency of the shots. Until 4-4, two break balls were missed, in front of Belarus, at 1-1. Then, the tension became oppressive, palpable, two games in a row kept the suspense burning, but in the end it was a tie-break.

36of winning shots was accumulated by Elena Rybakina, compared to only 12 for Aryna Sabalenka

The decisive game started disastrously for Sabalenka. It's as if all lucidity has drained away, hasty, uneven decisions have remained. With an ace, Rybakina took off to 6-0. Six match balls, title. Another error from Arina Sabalenka, a ball too long beyond the baseline and the champion of champions was decided!

CHAMPION in Riyadh! 🏆

Elena Rybakina captures the WTA Finals title, defeating Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) 🙌#WTAFinalsRiyadh pic.twitter.com/jYP48SWTBh

— wta (@WTA) November 8, 2025

Elena Rybakina has had the perfect week, really. It had been a long time since he had connected his game so well, fluidly, without exits in the setting, without shrillness. A restrained celebration, just arms raised above the head, a smile and a simple salute to the net, almost cold.

Elena Rybakina, the most important trophy at Wimbledon 2022

The champion then hugged those close to her, just as measuredly. It's her way of being, congruent with strong play but without excess, easy power, control and measure.

For Elena Rybakina it is the most important trophy since she won the title at Wimbledon in 2022. Since then he has contested the final from Australian Open 2023, lost even to Aryna Sabalenka.

Three years and 10 months later, the rematch came, which, however, cannot overshadow Belarus' solid ingot season, it only makes it more human.

8-6in favor of Aryna Sabalenka became the score against Elena Rybakina after the final in Riyadh 2025

Aryna Sabalenka, unhappy during the last act of the WTA Finals Photo: Imago Images

Thank you for the incredible atmosphere you created all week. It was a great pleasure to play in front of you. Thank you very much for your support. Especially today. Maybe it wasn't the best performance. But yes, Elena, you definitely played better

You literally crushed me on the court. Very good. Nice to see you playing your best tennis. Nice comeback at the end of the season. Now is the time to enjoy the break between seasons. And of this beautiful trophy – Aryna Sabalenka

It's been an incredible week. Honestly, I didn't expect any results and even less to get this far. It's just incredible. I also want to congratulate Aryna for being number one for the second year in a row. It is an amazing achievement

Today was a very tough fight. At times I was lucky. But then again, it's tennis. And I only hope that we will play many more finals and major tournaments together – Elena Rybakina

Aryna Sabalenka ends 2025 at number one in the world rankings, while Elena Rybakina will move up to fifth.