Serena Williams: “Garbine Muguruza played very well”

Beaten French Open finalist Serena Williams has congratulated Garbine Muguruza after being denied a record-equalling victory at Roland Garros.

The world number one remains on 21 Grand Slam titles - one fewer than Steffi Graf‘s impressive haul accumulated over a 17-year career.

Williams came unstuck in Paris on Saturday afternoon as she fell to a 7-5 6-4 defeat, but she was quick to praise the Spaniard who got off the mark with her biggest career win to date.

“I would like to congratulate Garbine, she played very well today. I’d like to thank my camp too - we didn’t win, but I hope we will try again next year,” she is quoted as saying by BBC Sport. “It’s very important for me to thank the crowd also. You will remain in my heart. Thank you.”

Williams has won the French Open on three previous occasions, including in 2015 when beating Lucie Safarova in the final.