Overview
- Elena Rybakina defeated world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6 (7-0) in Riyadh to capture the year-end title with a 5-0 week.
- She earned a record $5.235 million and the maximum 1,500 ranking points, moving up to No. 5 in the WTA rankings.
- During the trophy ceremony, Rybakina declined to pose with WTA CEO Portia Archer and later said planned conversations with officials never happened; the WTA did not immediately comment.
- The backdrop is the WTA’s probe that found Vukov engaged in abusive conduct and led to a 12-month ban, which was overturned in August via private arbitration; Vukov was back in her box for the final.
- Former player Pam Shriver criticized Rybakina’s gesture in a post on X, framing it against the tour’s safeguarding efforts.