Karolina Muchova in heartbreaking scenes amid Iga Swiatek history

Iga Swiatek has been crowned French Open champion, but the tennis world felt for runner-up Karolina Muchova after she broke down in tears ahead of her speech in a spirited effort. Swiatek continues to create history as the dominant World No.1 having become the youngest player to reach four grand slam titles since Serena Williams.

The 22-year-old also became the first woman since Justine Henin to win back-to-back Roland Garros titles. But she faced the toughest challenge in the final after Muchova pushed her all the way in an epic.

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Swiatek has largely powered her way through opponents in Paris, but Muchova's second set fightback had the Philippe Chatrier crowd on their feet. The Pole eventually broke Muchova in the third after a double failt to seal the match in dramatic scenes.

Ahead of Muchova's speech, the Czech broke down in tears having come so close to reaching her maiden grand slam title. In a lovely moment, tennis icon Chris Evert leaned over to whisper some encouragement in her ear.

Muchova addressed the crowd after the tough moment as she fought back tears having given it her all. "I gave my everything on the court today, so I have nothing to regret," Muchova said.

"The feeling is a little bitter, because I felt it was very close. But overall, to call myself a Grand Slam finalist, it's an amazing achievement, and for sure big motivation. Iga is world No.1 and I was so close.

"I think now that I can do it. It's a lot of work and effort to do, but I'm willing to take that. I'll try my best in other two Slams this year and next year, and I hope I will again get a chance to play for the title again."

Fans were left gutted for the Czech after the tough moment on the podium. The tennis world was full of praise for the classy Swiatek, but also the effort of Muchova who received a standing ovation.

Iga Swiatek creates grand slam history

The 22-year-old Pole has now lost only two out of 26 grand slam matches since moving to World No.1 in April last year and she became the youngest woman to bag consecutive trophies at Roland Garros since Monica Seles, who won from 1990-92. The US Open champion also joined Seles and Naomi Osaka as the only women in the Open Era to emerge victorious in each of their first four grand slam finals.

Swiatek is creating a legacy on clay, which is fitting since her admiration for Rafa Nadal. But this was by some distance the hardest of Swiatek's major finals, with World No.43 Muchova battling back from a set and 3-0 down to force a decider, fuelled by belief from her huge semi-final upset of world No.2 Aryna Sabalenka, the Australian Open champion.

"This one, for sure, it was a little bit tougher in terms of injuries and the pressure, and also coming back to this tournament as a defending champion," said Swiatek after becoming the first woman since Justine Henin in 2007 to successfully defend her title on the Paris clay.

"I'm happy that I finished the whole clay court swing so well and that I kind of survived. I guess I'm never going to doubt my strength again."

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