and it hasn't happened. You know, it's been an up and down process. I honestly can't say that last year or two years ago or even five years ago I would have thought that I would have won four in a row. So just starting this journey, having all four trophies at home, is incredible."

Williams also becomes the oldest player to win a major at 33 years, 289 days. She breaks Martina Navratilova's record of 33 years, 263 days, set at this very tournament in 1990.

Muguruza had beaten Williams before, at the French Open in 2014 in the second round, a match the Spaniard won 6-2, 6-2, the most lop-sided Grand Slam defeat of Serena's career.

"I can't talk," an emotional Muguruza said on court after her loss Saturday.11 consecutive points. But the moment caught up to her, Williams unable to serve out the match and then losing the next game as the crowd got behind the Spaniard as she charged back.

As the drama built, Williams would fall behind love-40 when she served for the title a second time before she broke out her vintage serve, cracking two aces and earning a championship point. But the two would play some of the finest points of the tournament in moments that grew increasingly intense, Muguruza hitting a forehand winner to draw to deuce, then earning a break point two points later, scrambling about the court. She'd break on a backhand winner, bringing the second set to 4-5 on her serve.

The comeback would not be completed, however, Muguruza