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Cape Town - Garbine Muguruza was at a loss of words after she defeated world number one Serena Williams in the final at Roland Garros on Saturday.
Muguruza beat Williams 7-5, 6-4 to win her maiden grand slam title and avenge her loss to the American at Wimbledon last year.
The 22-year-old’s win over Williams also sees her become Spain's first female champion at Roland Garros since Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario won the tournament in 1998.
"I can’t explain with words what this title means to me," Muguruza told reporters. "I'm so, so excited - to play in a Grand Slam against one of the best players, it's the perfect final.
"I'm so happy. I had to be very ready and concentrated on all the points and just to fight as much as I can.
"All the matches I've played against her helped me. It's our favourite tournament in Spain and I want to thank all my Spanish supporters.
"You work all your life to get here. I want to congratulate Serena, because she is one of the best players. I want to thank my group, my family. I’ve grown up playing on clay, so for me and Spain this is just amazing. Hopefully next year we’ll be back."
Williams had been dealing with a thigh injury heading into the final, but she refused to use that as an excuse for her loss.
Had Williams beaten Muguruza, she would have won her 22nd grand slam title and tied Steffi Graf’s Open-era record.
"It was OK," she said. "I'm not one to ever make excuses and say, like, 'Oh, my adductor was hurting,' or whatever.
"At the end of the day I didn't play the game I needed to play to win and she did. Adductor or not, she played to win.
"She won the first set by one point. I mean, that just goes to show you that you really have to play the big points well, and she played the big points really well."
