Simona Halep denies Serena Williams her 24th major championship

Serena Williams will have to wait a little longer for her 24th Grand Slam title. Saturday was Simona Halep's day.

Halep, the world's no. 7 female tennis player, defeated Williams, who is ranked no. 11, in Saturday's Wimbledon final with relative ease. Halep took the match in straight sets, 6-2, 6-2.

Williams, gracious in defeat, had nothing but praise for her opponent, even saying that Halep was so good on Saturday that she caused Williams to play like "a deer in the headlights." Halep was no doubt excited, but she spoke humbly about her win. "I just came on the court and I gave my best," the 27-year-old Romanian said.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up

It was Halep's first Wimbledon crown, and her second-ever major championship after claiming the French Open in 2018. Williams, who is considered one of the greatest tennis players of all time, was seeking her eighth All England Club title, and 24th Grand Slam championship overall. Before Saturday, Halep, a former no. 1-ranked player, had only ever reached the Wimbledon semifinals.