Amanda Anisimova broke down in tears after becoming the first woman in more than 100 years to lose a Wimbledon singles final 6-0, 6-0.
The American was comforted by the Princess of Wales after being demolished in just 57 minutes on Centre Court by Iga Swiatek.
The 23-year-old had to leave court briefly after the match to console herself before returning to give a moving television interview.
‘I got so overwhelmed with emotion,’ said Anisimova.
‘I was trying to remind myself this is an incredible moment and try not to get overwhelmed by everything I was feeling. I tried to keep it together and swallow all the tears and just speak from my heart.
‘I just wanted to really take advantage of the moment and try to forget what had just transpired the previous hour and acknowledge everything I’ve done the last two weeks and all the people that have helped me get there.’
Amanda Anisimova burst into tears after suffering a crushing defeat in the Wimbledon final
The Princess of Wales was on hand to provide some word of comfort to Anisimova
Iga Swiatek won her first-ever Wimbledon title with a destructive display in just 57 minutes
Anisimova’s defeat is just the second ‘double bagel’ in a major final in the Open Era after Steffi Graf defeated Natasha Zvereva in in 32 minutes at the 1988 French Open.
The last time it happened at Wimbledon was in 1911 when Dorothea Lamber Chambers defeated Dora Boothby.
‘It was tough to digest,’ added Anisimova.
‘It’s not how I would have wanted my first Grand Slam final to go. I think I was a little bit in shock after. But I told myself, I’ll definitely come back stronger. It’s not an easy thing to go through, losing 0-0 in a Grand Slam final.
‘‘I think I was a bit frozen with my nerves, I was just really fatigued. I could feel it also in my warm-up this morning. I had to take a break after every single rally in my warm-up.
‘If anything, I can look at it as a positive and something I can look at as motivation.’
Anisimova, who took a break from tennis two years ago because of her mental health, received reassuring words from Kate, the Princess of Wales, on Centre Court before meeting her again after the match.
‘It was such an honour to meet her,’ said Anisimova. ‘She definitely had a few things to say that were making me emotional again. She was really kind. She told me to keep my head high.
‘I don’t really want to reveal everything she said to me. I also spoke to her again after the match because I passed by her. She had all the best to say to me.’
