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London - Simona Halep said she had "never played better" after shattering Serena Williams' latest bid to capture a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam on Saturday as she stormed to a sensational victory in a 56-minute Wimbledon final.
The 27-year-old Romanian captured her second career major with a 6-2, 6-2 victory, adding a maiden Wimbledon to her 2018 Roland Garros triumph.
"I never played a better match," said Halep.
"My mom said when I was 10 that if I want to do something in tennis I have to play in the final at Wimbledon
"I had lots of nerves, my stomach wasn't very well.
"I said at the start of the tournament that one of my motivations was to win and become a lifetime member of the club."
Defeat for 37-year-old Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion who won the last of her 23 Slam titles at the 2017 Australian Open, meant her attempt to equal Margaret Court's all-time record for major wins was put back on ice until at least the US Open.
Williams was undone by 26 unforced errors to Halep's two in a personal horror show on Centre Court.
"She played out of her mind," said Williams. "I was like a deer in headlights."
Recent Wimbledon women's singles champions after Simona Halep defeated Serena Williams in the 2019 final at the All England Club on Saturday:
2019: Simona Halep (ROM)
2018: Angelique Kerber (GER)
2017: Garbine Muguruza (ESP)
2016: Serena Williams (USA)
2015: Serena Williams (USA)
2014: Petra Kvitova (CZE)
2013: Marion Bartoli (FRA)
2012: Serena Williams (USA)
2011: Petra Kvitova (CZE)
2010: Serena Williams (USA)
Factfile on Simona Halep, who won the 2019 Wimbledon title on Saturday:
Name: Simona Halep
Date of birth: September 27, 1991
Place of birth: Constanta, Romania
Residence: Constanta, Romania
Turned pro: 2006
Height: 5ft 6in (1.68m)
World ranking: 7
Career singles titles: 19
Career Grand Slam titles: 2 (French Open 2018, Wimbledon 2019)
Career prize money: $33,141,788
