Australian Open 2026: Elena Rybakina has finally conquered the “Happy Slam.” In a high-octane rematch of the 2023 final, the 26-year-old Kazakh powerhouse reversed the script today, overcoming World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a three-set thriller at Rod Laver Arena winning 6-4, 4-6, 6-4.Rybakina’s victory marks her second career Grand Slam title and her first on the hard courts of Melbourne, solidifying her status as the premier big-match specialist of her generation.
Australian Open prize money: A record-breaking payday
Thanks to a 16% increase in the tournament’s total prize pool, Rybakina walks away with the largest winner’s cheque in Australian Open history.
Winner’s purse: AUD 4.15 million (Approx. over ₹25 Crore)
Runner-up (Sabalenka): AUD 2.15 million (Approx. over ₹13 Crore)
Record-breaking win for Elena Rybakina
Rybakina’s triumph isn’t just about the money; it’s about a historic “first.” She is now officially the first player representing Kazakhstan (male or female) to win the Australian Open singles title.
Furthermore, by defeating the top-seeded Sabalenka, she becomes the first woman in the Open Era to win the title after facing a reigning World No. 1 in the final following a tournament where she saved match points in an earlier round. Her ability to thrive under the scorching Melbourne sun has now etched her name alongside legends like Serena Williams and Steffi Graf as a multi-surface Slam champion.
Rybakina vs Sabalenka- What happened in the Australian Open women’s singles final
The contest was a tactical masterclass. After taking the first set 6-4 with her trademark ice-cool precision, Rybakina weathered a ferocious Sabalenka comeback as she lost the set 4-6. In the deciding set, the world number 5 found a way to stun the world’s number 1 ranked tennis player, winning 6-4 to emerge as the champion.
Road to the 2026 title
Elena Rybakina’s journey to the trophy was a display of utter dominance, as she did not drop a single set until the final:
Semi-Final: d. Jessica Pegula (6-3, 7-6)
Quarter-Final: d. Iga Swiatek (World No. 2) (7-5, 6-1)
Earlier rounds: Cruised past Anna Blinkova and several top-30 seeds, firing a tournament-high 41 aces before reaching the summit clash.