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In a week that will be remembered in tennis history, Elena Rybakina delivered a performance of pure dominance — and shocked the world by taking down world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the WTA Finals final, 6-3, 7-6(0), to claim the biggest prize check ever in women’s tennis: $5.235 million.
It wasn’t just a win — it was a statement. Rybakina came into the Riyadh showdown as the final qualifier, the “last spot” entry no one saw sneaking away with the crown. Yet with ice in her veins and a serve like a thunderclap, she blitzed through her opponents, winning all five matches without losing a set.
Against Sabalenka — a fierce, powerful rival — every point mattered. Rybakina wasn’t just playing: she was attacking. She landed a staggering 13 aces in the final, and in the tiebreak, she simply refused to give Sabalenka even a single point. The confidence, the focus — she had it all.
But this triumph is more than about tennis. It’s deeply personal. Earlier this year, her former coach, Stefano Vukov, was suspended by the WTA in a controversy that threatened to derail her season. Yet Rybakina didn’t just survive — she rose. Every serve, every winner, every high-stakes moment in Riyadh was a reminder of her resilience.
Her victory in Riyadh also capped off a late-season surge: she won the Ningbo Open just weeks earlier, coming back from a set down to clinch another title and lock in her spot at the Finals.
When the trophy was presented, she stayed laser-focused. As she said afterward: “I was just focusing really.” That mindset paid off — not just in silverware, but in a historic payday and a moment of vindication.
At only 26, Rybakina now stands taller than ever — not just as a champion, but as a symbol. From the doubt, the drama, and the controversy, she’s forged her path to greatness. She didn’t just beat the world’s best; she reinvented herself under pressure and rewrote what success looks like. The tennis world may have underestimated her. Riyadh will never forget.
Musa
Ade
John Owolabi
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