Miami Open winner apologised to rival and offered to share prize money | Tennis | Sport

Aryna Sabalenka instantly offered to divide her winner’s purse with opponent Jessica Pegula after securing the Miami Open title last year. The tournament has returned to the Hard Rock Stadium and is scheduled to conclude this weekend. Sabalenka is the current defending women’s champion after producing a straight-sets 7-5 6-2 triumph over Pegula in the 2025 final.

The result proved a setback for the American runner-up, who resides in Florida, to suffer defeat on home soil, and prolonged a frustrating pattern. The duo had previously met in the US Open final and Cincinnati Open final in 2024, with Sabalenka prevailing on both occasions. After claiming a third successive championship victory, the Belarusian star showed compassion for the Miami Open finalist and spoke about splitting her £844,000 ($1.1million) prize money.

“First of all Jess, I’m so sorry, for real. If I could share the trophy with someone, trophy, prize money, points, everything – I would definitely share it with you,” Sabalenka said post-match.

“I’m sorry for that. You’re an incredible player, you always push me so hard to play my best. You’re a great player.

“Congrats to you and your team on an incredible couple of weeks. I always enjoy playing against you, it’s always great battles, great matches, great level of tennis.

“Continue doing what you’re doing and I’m pretty sure we’re going to play many more finals. I’m not sure about the results because I honestly don’t want to lose in the finals. It sucks, I know.

“But I always enjoy playing against you. You’re an incredible person, player, thank you so much. Wow that was long, you see how much I like this girl.”

The Miami Open champion added: “Thank you that the rain stopped. It felt like Miami was crying that I won this tournament.”

Pegula was swift to praise her opponent in defeat, saying: “First, obviously, congrats Aryna to you and your team. Three finals, it’s… I really, really don’t want to like you right now.

“But you’re the best player in the world for a reason. You keep pushing everybody and challenging everybody to get better.”

Sabalenka subsequently defeated Pegula in the US Open semi-finals last year. However, the world number five did secure some revenge with a victory to reach the Wuhan Open final in October.

Since her Miami defeat, Pegula has captured three WTA titles, most recently prevailing at the Dubai Championships in February. Meanwhile, Sabalenka has added four championships to her career tally.

The 27-year-old has made a solid start to 2026, reaching the Australian Open final in January and claiming the Indian Wells title earlier this month.

The world number one has won four Grand Slam titles and completed her second US Open triumph in September.

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