PARIS, France - She won't walk away holding the big trophy, but after finishing runner-up to Ashleigh Barty in her first Grand Slam final, Marketa Vondrousova leaves a breakout French Open with her head held high.
Despite the occasion, Vondrousova revealed that she "didn't really play nervous," and instead, was full of praise for her fellow first-time Slam singles finalist after the match.
Against a brilliant Barty, the Czech teenager never managed to get a foothold Saturday's championship.
She lost the first four games, and also dropped serve early in the second to be beaten by the Aussie for the third time in their three career meetings, 6-1, 6-3.
Read the match report: Barty conquers Vondrousova for first Slam title at French Open
"I think she was just too good today. I think she played an amazing match. I didn't have too many chances today. Yeah, I think she just gave me a lesson today," Vondrousova said.
"It was also windy, so it was a bit different today. I think she didn't let me play my game today. I think she was just better at everything today.
"She's playing too good. She's mixing things up. She has a huge serve, so it's all very tough to play against. I didn't really feel good today because she didn't let me play my game, and it was really tough."
Despite the result, Vondrousova nonetheless managed to look on the bright side post-match in the press room, and acknowledged her entire body of work for the fortnight.
The 19-year-old beat four seeded players en route to her first major final, did not lose a set in six matches, and is set to break into the Top 20 in the world rankings on Monday to a career-high World No.16.
"I played my first Grand Slam final, so it's a good thing," she said with a smile. "I think I'm proud of myself at everything, because I'm just 19 and I won six tough matches.
"It was amazing two weeks for me, and I'm just really proud of myself that I was in the final here. I had my family here, so it's still amazing for me.
"A lot of people texted me. I was all over Czech TV. It was kind of strange for me. I was in the final, so I think it's a big thing now. I'm just enjoying myself."
The left-hander will celebrate her 20th birthday on June 28 shortly before Wimbledon begins, and she will also be a seeded player the next time she steps foot on court at a Grand Slam.
"I can't really believe it still because it's really, it's a huge thing for me," Vondrousova said.
"I think it's gonna change my life now, but I'm just trying not to think about this and just trying to focus on myself.
"It's gonna be strange, because I'm going to be a seed at Grand Slams. A lot of things are gonna change now, but I just can't wait to get back home and see what's gonna happen."
