Elena Rybakina is now a two-time Grand Slam champion following her tremendous title-winning run at the Australian Open.
A lethal service game helped Rybakina win the Australian Open, with the trophy secured thanks to a final victory over Aryna Sabalenka.
The WTA number one also lost last year’s final in Melbourne, although she won in each of the two years prior, including a victory over Rybakina.
Rybakina has sent a warning to the rest of the WTA players with her recent efforts, which have also involved success at the 2025 WTA Finals.
The Australian Open champion went unbeaten at the season-ending tournament in Riyadh, having defeated Sabalenka in the final in Saudi Arabia too.
Is Rybakina the best player on the WTA Tour right now?
If not, who is better?
Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina 14th among WTA highest earners
Rybakina earned $5.235million for that WTA Finals triumph in November, which represents the biggest payday in the history of women’s tennis.
And following her victory at the Australian Open, the Kazakhstan superstar now boasts career earnings of $27,163,149, placing her 14th in the all-time list.
She’s earned $2,724,432 in the early stages of 2026, having reached the quarterfinals in Brisbane before taking on the first Grand Slam of the season.
Meanwhile, Australian Open runner-up Sabalenka is second in the all-time WTA money list with a figure of $46,789,918.
The world number one, who won the title in Brisbane, is behind only legendary figure Serena Williams in the list.
Who wins more Grand Slams in their career – Elena Rybakina or Aryna Sabalenka?
The highest-earning WTA players after the 2026 Australian Open
As mentioned, 23-time Grand Slam champion Williams leads the all-time money list, thanks to her remarkable figure of 94,816,730.
The American icon is some way ahead of the chasing pack, which also features her sister Venus Williams and Iga Swiatek.
Simona Halep completes the top five, with fellow WTA legends Victoria Azarenka and Maria Sharapova not far behind.
Petra Kvitova, Caroline Wozniacki and Angelique Kerber complete the top 10, with current superstar Coco Gauff just outside the veterans in 11th place.
| Rank | Player | Earnings |
| 1 | Serena Williams | $94,816,730 |
| 2 | Aryna Sabalenka | $46,789,918 |
| 3 | Iga Swiatek | $44,612,955 |
| 4 | Venus Williams | $42,985,860 |
| 5 | Simona Halep | $40,236,618 |
| 6 | Victoria Azarenka | $38,890,473 |
| 7 | Maria Sharapova | $38,777,962 |
| 8 | Petra Kvitova | $37,653,615 |
| 9 | Caroline Wozniacki | $36,479,231 |
| 10 | Angelique Kerber | $32,545,460 |
| 14 | Elena Rybakina | $27,163,149 |
Given her promising career to date, the American should climb the list sooner rather than later, although it remains to be seen if her idol Williams will ever be caught.
Elina Svitolina, who knocked Gauff out of the Australian Open, is 13th in the money list, with former WTA number one Naomi Osaka in 17th.
