Petra Kvitova struggled to hold back the tears as she lifted her first Grand Slam trophy at Wimbledon.
The Czech star powered past favourite Maria Sharapova to record a shock 6-3 6-4 straight-sets victory in the Ladies Singles final.
Fifth seed Sharapova, who won the title seven years ago, had not even dropped a set in her impressive run to Saturday's showpiece event.
But the Russian had no answer to the power and variation of shots from her eighth-seeded opponent.
Kvitova became the third Czech to lift the trophy after Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, who both watched their compatriot from the Royal Box.
Afterwards the 21-year-old, who also became the first left-hander to win the title since Navratilova in 1990, was left almost speechless about joining the pair on the Wimbledon roll of honour.
She said: "It's hard to find the words. To stand with the trophy and see great champions in the Royal Box.
"It's very nice when they're watching me all the time and supporting me, it's great.
"Of course I was nervous, I thought I could win Wimbledon, but I had to focus on every point."
For Sharapova it was a disappointing finish to the championships which saw her reach a Grand Slam final for the first time since recovering from shoulder surgery two years ago.
She graciously congratulated Kvitova on her success before warning the new champion she would be gunning for the title next year.
Sharapova said: "Unfortunately in tennis there's only one winner so big congratulations, you played a great tournament.
"It's great to be back and holding the runner-up trophy. Obviously I would have wanted that big one but it's something I'll be back to try to get soon."
The Czech star powered past favourite Maria Sharapova to record a shock 6-3 6-4 straight-sets victory in the Ladies Singles final.
Fifth seed Sharapova, who won the title seven years ago, had not even dropped a set in her impressive run to Saturday's showpiece event.
But the Russian had no answer to the power and variation of shots from her eighth-seeded opponent.
Kvitova became the third Czech to lift the trophy after Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, who both watched their compatriot from the Royal Box.
Afterwards the 21-year-old, who also became the first left-hander to win the title since Navratilova in 1990, was left almost speechless about joining the pair on the Wimbledon roll of honour.
She said: "It's hard to find the words. To stand with the trophy and see great champions in the Royal Box.
"It's very nice when they're watching me all the time and supporting me, it's great.
"Of course I was nervous, I thought I could win Wimbledon, but I had to focus on every point."
For Sharapova it was a disappointing finish to the championships which saw her reach a Grand Slam final for the first time since recovering from shoulder surgery two years ago.
Sharapova said: "Unfortunately in tennis there's only one winner so big congratulations, you played a great tournament.
"It's great to be back and holding the runner-up trophy. Obviously I would have wanted that big one but it's something I'll be back to try to get soon."
