Everyone expected World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka to lift the WTA Finals trophy in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia but fate had other plans. In the end, it was No. 6 seed Elena Rybakina who claimed the win. On Saturday, Rybakina secured the biggest payday in women’s tennis history with a 6-3, 7-6(0) victory over Sabalenka.

What made the victory even more interesting was that Rybakina was playing through a right shoulder injury. Yet, she fought so much so that even Sabalenka couldn’t stop her.  After the match, the emotions on the court were raw. Sabalenka, her face red from tears and heart heavy, struggled to speak. She warned the audience, “I’m getting really sensitive,” before sharing her words, voice cracking:

“Today, especially, maybe… yeah, not the best performance, but you were definitely a better player today. You literally smashed me out of the court. Very, very well done. Happy to see you playing your best tennis, nice comeback at the end of the season. Now it’s time to enjoy our offseason and enjoy this beautiful trophy.”

This is a developing story…