As 21-year-old Petra Kvitova sunk to her knees after hitting a first ace of the day to win the women's Wimbledon title, Czech compatriots Martina Navratilova and Jana Novotna, in the Royal Box, rose to applaud.
Martina and Jana know how emotional and thrilling it can be to experience that glorious moment on Centre Court.
The former savoured it NINE times while Novotna collected the trophy in 1998, even if she is remembered more for crying like a baby after choking against Steffi Graf five years previously.
Although Navratilova was to become an American citizen, a tough upbringing in the then Czechoslovakia gave her a fierce competitive edge.
Clearly it's a quality that fellow left hander Kvitova, from a little town called Fulnek (population 6,000 with just four tennis courts) has in abundance.
The number eight seed, inspired by the watching Navratilova and Novotna, showed a ruthless streak to destroy Maria Sharapova 6-3 6-4 on Saturday.
The Russian beauty may have entered the final as heavy favourite but was blown away by the powerful and precise hitting of an opponent, who played with no fear in her first Grand Slam final – similar to when Maria won here in 2004.
Sharapova, whose serve failed her not for the first time in the tournament, admitted afterwards that Kvitova was simply “too good on the day”.
When it was put to the world's best paid female athlete that her rival was the best of the large group of young players on tour, she agreed, but quickly pointed out that at 24 she didn't exactly feel old herself.
There was a lot of goodwill at Wimbledon this year for the three-time Grand Slam-winning Florida based player, who has fought her way back to the higher echelons after a difficult couple of years with injury and inconsistency, but she doesn't half get on your nerves with her shrieking after every shot.
If you think it is loud on television, you should hear it in person. On pressure points, close your eyes and it's as if a howling banshee has entered Centre Court. Her decibel level has been registered as higher than a freight train!
Mercifully, Kvitova was quiet as a mouse. It was her hitting that spoke volumes, becoming the third leftie to win at SW19 following Ann Jones and Navratilova.
Many were surprised when, pre-tournament, Navratilova tipped Kvitova to go all the way, but like most of the decisions she made on court during her outstanding career, the iconic Martina was proved right.
Outside of those directly involved in tennis, even though she had won four WTA titles previously, and been to last year's Wimbledon semi-final, Kvitova was a virtual unknown. That will change now.
With a list of recent questionable number one players who don't win Grand Slams, Kim Clijsters ready to retire again after the London Olympics and doubts still persisting over the commitment to the game of Venus and Serena Williams, the women's scene desperately needs a new star.
Petra, a bubbly young lady with a Wimbledon title behind her and all the shots, might just be perfect for that role.
For now, though, she's just delighted and a little overwhelmed to be Wimbledon champion.
Constantly playing with her long blonde hair during the post-match press conference, she said: “It's an unbelievable feeling.”
Kvitova, who is now £1.1 million richer after her victory is not one to elaborate.
When I asked her had she spoken to Navratilova or Novotna, there was a beaming smile, as she replied: “Of course. They were so happy. I cried after I met them. It meant a lot for me to see them.”
There were also tears, many of them, from her loving father Jiri, whose passionate celebrations charmed Centre Court. He had flown in from the Czech Republic to see his daughter claim her finest victory yet and first major title.
I've a feeling it won't be the last.
Martina and Jana know how emotional and thrilling it can be to experience that glorious moment on Centre Court.
The former savoured it NINE times while Novotna collected the trophy in 1998, even if she is remembered more for crying like a baby after choking against Steffi Graf five years previously.
Although Navratilova was to become an American citizen, a tough upbringing in the then Czechoslovakia gave her a fierce competitive edge.
Clearly it's a quality that fellow left hander Kvitova, from a little town called Fulnek (population 6,000 with just four tennis courts) has in abundance.
The Russian beauty may have entered the final as heavy favourite but was blown away by the powerful and precise hitting of an opponent, who played with no fear in her first Grand Slam final – similar to when Maria won here in 2004.
Sharapova, whose serve failed her not for the first time in the tournament, admitted afterwards that Kvitova was simply “too good on the day”.
When it was put to the world's best paid female athlete that her rival was the best of the large group of young players on tour, she agreed, but quickly pointed out that at 24 she didn't exactly feel old herself.
There was a lot of goodwill at Wimbledon this year for the three-time Grand Slam-winning Florida based player, who has fought her way back to the higher echelons after a difficult couple of years with injury and inconsistency, but she doesn't half get on your nerves with her shrieking after every shot.
If you think it is loud on television, you should hear it in person. On pressure points, close your eyes and it's as if a howling banshee has entered Centre Court. Her decibel level has been registered as higher than a freight train!
Mercifully, Kvitova was quiet as a mouse. It was her hitting that spoke volumes, becoming the third leftie to win at SW19 following Ann Jones and Navratilova.
Many were surprised when, pre-tournament, Navratilova tipped Kvitova to go all the way, but like most of the decisions she made on court during her outstanding career, the iconic Martina was proved right.
Outside of those directly involved in tennis, even though she had won four WTA titles previously, and been to last year's Wimbledon semi-final, Kvitova was a virtual unknown. That will change now.
With a list of recent questionable number one players who don't win Grand Slams, Kim Clijsters ready to retire again after the London Olympics and doubts still persisting over the commitment to the game of Venus and Serena Williams, the women's scene desperately needs a new star.
Petra, a bubbly young lady with a Wimbledon title behind her and all the shots, might just be perfect for that role.
For now, though, she's just delighted and a little overwhelmed to be Wimbledon champion.
Constantly playing with her long blonde hair during the post-match press conference, she said: “It's an unbelievable feeling.”
Kvitova, who is now £1.1 million richer after her victory is not one to elaborate.
There were also tears, many of them, from her loving father Jiri, whose passionate celebrations charmed Centre Court. He had flown in from the Czech Republic to see his daughter claim her finest victory yet and first major title.
I've a feeling it won't be the last.
