Rybakina Triumphs in Riyadh: A Serve-Driven masterclass to seal the WTA Finals
9 November 2025
Final showdown in Riyadh
Elina Rybakina of Kazakhstan captured the year-ending WTA Finals in Riyadh, defeating world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the final with a 6-3, 7-6 result to claim the season’s marquee title.
Coming into the event not at her peak, Rybakina chose an all-out attacking plan and a heavy first strike, playing through a sore right shoulder as she advanced to the final on Saturday without altering her approach.
Sabalenka acknowledged the relentless aggression that Rybakina employed, noting that her opponent did not hesitate and played bravely when it mattered most.
Key numbers and turning points
The 26-year-old extended her run to 11 consecutive wins against world No. 1 opponents during this stretch, a streak that began after a loss to Sabalenka in Wuhan.
Rybakina also became the first player to beat Sabalenka and Iga Swiatek in more than one WTA Tour event, underscoring her late-season surge.
Serving was the decisive weapon: she fired 15 aces in the semifinal against Jessica Pegula and added 13 more in the final against Sabalenka, while saving all five break points faced and winning a high share of first-serve points (about 77%).
In the second set, she produced a late burst to push the match to a tiebreak and seal the championship, a moment she described as built on aggressive serving and quick adaptation under pressure.
Sabalenka admitted that Rybakina’s relentless accuracy left little room to mount a comeback, with the Kazakh star never wavering on the biggest points.
Post-match and what it means
In a post-match interview, Rybakina discussed handling fatigue from a busy week in Saudi Arabia, the adjustments to new balls and conditions, and how early aggression with her serve set the tone for the week.
The victory adds a significant milestone to her career and fuels optimism for the next season, suggesting the aggressive, fast-paced game could yield more big results in 2026.
Punchline 1: Her serve was so sharp, even the ball filed a restraining order against the racket.
Punchline 2: If she keeps serving like this, the trophy might need a protective case labeled, Ace at Your Own Risk.
