There have been uncommon scenes after a Miami Open closing because the winner supplied to share the prize cash with their opponent.
A earlier Miami Open closing noticed the champion talk about sharing their prize cash (Picture: Robert Prange/Getty Photos)
Aryna Sabalenka instantly supplied to share her winner’s purse with opponent Jessica Pegula after securing the Miami Open title final yr. The match has returned to the Laborious Rock Stadium and is about to conclude this weekend.
World No.1 Sabalenka is the present reigning champion after producing a straight-sets 7-5, 6-2 victory over Pegula. The end result was a blow for the American runner-up, who relies in Florida, to lose on residence soil and continued a irritating sample. The pair had beforehand met within the US Open closing and Cincinnati Open closing in 2024, with Sabalenka triumphing on each events. After making it three championship victories in a row, the Belarusian ace confirmed compassion for the Miami Open finalist and spoke about splitting her £844,000 ($1.1million) prize cash.
“Initially Jess, I am so sorry, for actual. If I might share the trophy with somebody, trophy, prize cash, factors, every part – I’d positively share it with you,” Sabalenka stated post-match. “I am sorry for that.
“You are an unimaginable participant, you at all times push me so laborious to play my greatest. You are an ideal participant. Congrats to you and your crew on an unimaginable couple of weeks. I at all times get pleasure from taking part in in opposition to you, it is at all times nice battles, nice matches, nice degree of tennis.
Sabalenka subsequently defeated Pegula within the US Open semi-finals final yr. Nonetheless, the world No.5 did declare a win again to achieve the Wuhan Open closing in October.
Since dropping in Miami, Pegula has secured three WTA titles, most just lately profitable the Dubai Championships in February. In the meantime, Sabalenka has added 4 championships to her profession tally. The 27-year-old has made a robust begin to 2026, reaching the Australian Open closing in January and profitable Indian Wells earlier this month.
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