Rybakina responds to Sabalenka’s remark after 2025 WTA Finals

Kazakhstani tennis player Elena Rybakina (World No. 5) has responded to comments made by Aryna Sabalenka (World No. 1) after Sabalenka’s loss in the final of the WTA Finals Riyadh 2025.

That match finished with a confident victory by Rybakina 6-3, 7-6 (7-0). In a conversation with her team, Sabalenka in tears said «Once a year even the stick shoots.»

«I was sent [a video] after the match, but it was out of context. We have played with Aryna many times, including this year, so I don’t really focus on this too much. I treat both Aryna and her team well, so I don’t take it to heart. If this was indeed said about me,» Rybakina said in an interview with SauBall, a Kazakhstani sports-focused YouTube channel.

The 2022 Wimbledon champion commented on the record prize money in the history of women’s tennis. In Riyadh, Rybakina earned $5.23 million. According to her, other tournaments will be able to feature similar prize pools in the near future.

«I think many tournaments are moving toward increasing their prize funds. So, it’s just a matter of time. In a few years, I’m sure other tournaments will catch up. Of course, the prize money is huge and I’m extremely happy to have achieved this result. The way the previous generation fought to raise prize money is now bearing fruit,» Rybakina highlighted.

Context

Elena Rybakina, 26, has won one Grand Slam title – Wimbledon (2022). She reached the final of the Australian Open, where she lost to Sabalenka (2023). In addition to the WTA final, this year Rybakina won the Ningbo Open and the Internationaux de Strasbourg. Her career earnings total $24.4 million.

Aryna Sabalenka, 27, is the current World No. 1. She is a four-time Grand Slam champion: Australian Open (2023, 2024) and US Open (2024, 2025). She has also reached three other Grand Slam finals: US Open (2023), Australian Open (2025) and Roland Garros (2025). Her career prize money totals $45.2 million.