Aryna Sabalenka ended her 2025 season with pride despite losing the WTA Finals championship match to Elena Rybakina. The Belarusian star reflected on her performance and achievements, while Rybakina celebrated her biggest career title to date.
Rybakina wins the WTA Finals
Elena Rybakina defeated Aryna Sabalenka 6–3, 7–6(0) in Riyadh to claim the WTA Finals title. She served 13 aces and saved all five break points, showing control and composure throughout the match. The win marked her first WTA Finals crown and her most significant victory since Wimbledon 2022.
“Well it gives a lot of motivation, and hopefully I get some good rest and I can keep this mentality and bring it to the next season,” Rybakina said. “And yeah, hopefully we can improve even more and start strong.”
Sabalenka proud of her season
Despite the loss, Sabalenka remained upbeat and focused on the positives. She finishes the year with four titles, including the US Open and two WTA 1000 trophies, and will end 2025 as the year-end No. 1 for the second consecutive season. She also led the tour with 15 Top 10 victories.
“She played incredible,” Sabalenka said. “I feel like I did my best today. It didn’t work, but I think so many things I have to be proud of. And yeah, I’m leaving this tournament without any disappointment. I leave with this tournament being proud of myself and the things that we’ve been able to achieve.”
A season of milestones
Sabalenka joins a select group of only seven women to finish consecutive years as World No. 1. Rybakina, meanwhile, will rise to a career-high No. 5 in the rankings. Both players now look ahead to 2026 with renewed confidence and motivation.
Aryna Sabalenka in 2025
Currently the world no.1, the Belarussian played her last match on the 8th of November when she surrendered to world no.5 Elena Rybakina 6-3 7-6(0) in the final in Riyadh (draw).
Currently, during this year Sabalenka has a composed 63-12 match record. Aryna has won 4 titles in 2025 in Brisbane, Miami, Madrid and U.S. Open. Sabalenka was the runner-up at the Australian Open, Indian Wells, Stuttgart, French Open and Riyadh.