Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina, who on Saturday, January 31, became an Australian Open champion as well, took home a massive prize money after beating title favourite Aryna Sabalenka in a brilliant
encounter at the Rod Laver Arena.
Rybakina held her nerve to pull through 6-4, 4-6, 6-4 in Melbourne in 2hrs 18mins.
Rybakina, crowned women’s singles champion in Melbourne, not only lifted the Daphne Akhurst Memorial Cup but also pocketed A$4.15 million (Rs 23.4 crores) from the A$111.5 million prize pool and earned 2000 ranking points. Runner-up Sabalenka got A$2.15 million (Rs 18 crores) along with 1300 ranking points.
Sixth-seed Jessica Pegula and 12th-seed Elina Svitolina, the losing semifinalists, each earned A$1.25 million (Rs 6.7 crore), while quarterfinalists Coco Gauff, Amanda Anisimova, Iga Swiatek and Iva Jovic took home A$750,000 (Rs 4.7 crore) apiece.
Players ousted in the fourth round, including defending champion Madison Keys, Victoria Mboko, Karolina Muchova and Mirra Andreeva, each earned A$480,000 (Rs 3 crore).
Meanwhile, it was payback after the Belarusian Sabalenka won the 2023 final between two of the hardest hitters in women’s tennis.
The ice-cool Rybakina, 26, who was born in Moscow, adds her Melbourne win to her Wimbledon victory in 2022.
“Hard to find the words now. I know it is tough, but I hope we play many more finals together. Thank you so much to Kazakhstan. I felt the support from that corner a lot,” Rybakina said after the match.
There was another hard finish in a Grand Slam final for Sabalenka, who, despite winning her second US Open last year, fell short in the French Open and Australian Open title matches.
Sabalenka was in her fourth Australian Open final in a row and had been imperious until now, with tears in her eyes at the end.
“Let us hope maybe next year will be a better year for me,” Sabalenka said.
With the roof on due to drizzle in Melbourne, Rybakina broke serve and then held for 2-0.
