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Speaking to wtatennis.com after the Riyadh final, Rybakina revealed the secret to her success: “I was trying to go for early shots. I was really aggressive, I would say, the whole tournament. The best players, they will give you some chances but not that much. I was taking everything as soon as possible.” 

Asked about her immediate future, Rybakina replied: “I’m going to spend a couple of days in Europe, different cities. And then I’ll see my family. Since I live in Dubai, there are good places to train. So I think I’m going to stay there, in one place. Looking forward to a rest.”

Despite her defeat, four-time Grand Slam winner Sabalenka can take comfort in ending 2025 as the world No.1, and, as runner-up in Riyadh, banking $2.695 million (£2.051 million), a sum that takes her beyond Serena Williams’ 2013 single-season earnings record of $12,385,572 (£7,658,841) – previously the highest earnings in a tennis season (female).