Timea Babos could not hold back the tears in her on-court speech alongside Luisa Stefani after the pair lost the WTA Finals doubles final to 2022 champions Veronika Kudermetova and Elise Mertens. The No. 4-seeded pair won 7-6 (4), 6-1 in Saudi Arabia to win the Martina Navratilova Trophy for the second time together. And 32-year-old Babos was moved to tears during her runner-up speech alongside Stefani, and later apologised for talking for so long after a three-minute monologue.

Former doubles world No.1 Babos was already a three-time WTA Finals winner alongside Kristina Mladenovic. And the Hungarian said after of her link-up with Stefani: “I have to start with you [Luisa]. What a season we had. We accidentally got together, I don’t know if you guys know that. She called me when I was at home and asked if I wanted to play a tournament with her in Linz. I was having dinner at home and was like, ‘Who is this person calling?’ Because we never talked before.

“We weren’t going to get in because of our ranking so I ended up going the next day and we ended up winning the tournament. This is how our story started and what a finish we had. I’m very thankful for you and everything we’ve achieved and done together.

“We know the most, like our families and our teams, what we have been through. Thank you so much for sharing these amazing moments. Unfortunately it looks like we’re not going to continue but not because we don’t match. It’s because I don’t think I will play a full season next year. So…”

It was at that point Stefani stepped in to comfort her partner as Babos teared up and struggled to speak. After composing herself, Babos then added: “She [Stefani] said ‘How does it feel to say it out loud?’ Well I’m kind of crying, so!

“I don’t know if it’s good or bad to finish without a trophy but I collected three of these already so I’m vry happy to get another final here. I would like to say thank you to everyone who made this tournament possible.

“Here it was really something new. You guys treat us very nice so thank you very much. As Lu said, we really enjoyed our time here. Thank you to the crowd. We won your hearts a little bit with our feistiness and everything so I hope you enjoyed your time here and keep supporting women’s tennis because it’s amazing.

“Girls, what a season you had, well done. We played many times against each other. I guess you will keep playing so good luck to you and your team.” She then broke back into tears as she added: “And lastly, obviously my family there…”

She continued: “And everybody who was helping me all the way to be here. I had a few very tough years and to be back here once again in the final of the Finals is just amazing. Thanks to my mum, my dad, my fiance and my family at home. And Lu’s family, we had an unbelievable time together.

“I’m sorry I’m talking so long but it’s maybe my last speech so I’m just enjoying it! Thank you guys again.”