The 27-year-old, so often condemned for big occasion meltdowns, became the first Frenchwoman to lift the women's singles title since Suzanne Lenglen 81 years ago with her victory over Justine Henin-Hardenne.

Despite the critics, who doubted the depth of her resolve and the size of her heart, Mauresmo never gave up on her dream that sprang into life in controversial circumstances in January when she won the Australian Open by default.

"It's very sweet," said Mauresmo after her 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 win over Henin Hardenne, the same opponent who had quit midway through the second set in Melbourne to hand the world number one victory.

"I finally found how to handle the nerves a bit better. I really know much more now how to play tennis than few years ago. I think everything is really coming together. The physical part of my game, as well."

It's not always been the case.

Mauresmo first reached a Grand Slam final in Australia in 1999 where she lost to Martina Hingis, and then had to wait seven long years before making another.

The surrender by Henin-Hardenne in Melbourne, followed by another high-profile flop on home soil at the French Open, had the critics sharpening their knives again.

But Mauresmo was unconcerned and remained convinced she could win a Grand Slam through her own ability.

"It didn't hurt because I was realistic and I could see that the nerves got involved. So that's how I am, that's how it is. That's why it took me longer than others and why I've been working on different areas of this aspect," she said.

"I learned about the experiences. I learned that's how it works. You try different things, try to think, try to take things a little bit differently, try to see tennis also differently, not put myself under pressure."

Her end-of-season Tour Championship win in Los Angeles in 2005 was also a significant landmark for the fine wine-loving Mauresmo, who has yet to select the appropriate vintage with which to celebrate her All England Club success.

"I wasn't too optimistic," she admitted. "If it came the first time that I was in a Grand Slam final seven years ago, maybe winning would have not had the same taste. Things come when they have to come."

Defeat meant that 2001 runner-up Henin-Hardenne failed, for now, to become only the 10th woman in history to win all four Grand Slam titles.

"She just played better than me, she took her opportunities," said Henin-Hardenne who arrived here on the back of a third French Open title as well as victory in Eastbourne, the traditional Wimbledon warm-up event.

"But I'll be back and I'll get another chance."

Henin-Hardenne admitted that playing two Grand Slams with just a two-week break between them was hard on the body and the mind.

She said: "Maybe I wasn't fresh enough to win. I have played for five of the last six weeks with 18 matches. Generally I have played really good tennis.

"But it's difficult to go from the French Open to Wimbledon, it's a lot of pressure with two Grand Slams in a month. Now I need a break."