Elena Rybakina ended her season in the best way possible. Well, she beat world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka 6-3, 7-6(0) to win the WTA Finals in Riyadh. But wait… her victory didn’t just earn her another trophy; it made history in a way. And  Rybakina walked away with $5.235 million, the biggest prize ever in women’s sports. But here’s what everyone’s wondering: how much of that does she actually get to keep?

As we know, athletes don’t get to keep all their winnings. The amount they take home depends on where they live and where the event is held. So, how much would she lose?

What is the total prize money for the WTA Finals 2025?

The total prize money for the WTA Finals 2025 is  $15.5 million, with  $12.4 million earmarked for the singles draw and $3.1 million for doubles.

How much will Elena Rybakina earn before taxes?

Having finished the season-ending tournament unbeaten in her five matches, Rybakina is now $5.235m richer, earning the greatest prize money haul in the history of women’s sports.

How much will Elena Rybakina lose to taxes after winning the WTA Finals?

If we break it down simply, Kazakhstan taxes its residents on all income they earn worldwide at a 10 percent rate. Luckily for Elena Rybakina, Kazakhstan has a tax treaty with Saudi Arabia that prevents double taxation. This means if she pays taxes in Saudi Arabia, she can claim credit for that amount in Kazakhstan, so she doesn’t get taxed twice on the same prize money.

Her total prize money is $5.235 million. If Saudi Arabia applies a 15 percent withholding tax, that would be around $785,250, leaving her with roughly $4.45 million. Because Kazakhstan’s tax rate is lower (10 percent), she wouldn’t owe more back home, since the amount already withheld exceeds what Kazakhstan would charge. In short, Rybakina would end up keeping about $4.45 million after taxes, still a record-breaking reward for her stunning performance in Riyadh. That means she lost only $785,000 in taxes.