A Kingston woman helped transform Wimbledon singles champion Amelie Mauresmo from tennis ace to belle of the ball on Sunday.

Elisabeth Piner, who runs Having a Ball Dress Hire, near Richmond Park, has been providing the dresses for Wimbledon champions for 15 years, but she has never before seen them all dressed up for the glamorous post-championship party.

But this year they missed the coach to the Savoy hotel, where the event was held, so they had to change outfits at Wimbledon. Ms Pinner was there to help and watch the transformation.

She said: "When we arrived at Wimbledon at 2pm on Sunday, it was very exciting, because Swiss champion Roger Federer was playing Rafael Nadal, which resulted in Federer's fourth championship at Wimbledon.

"I dressed the women's Wimbledon champion, Amelie Mauresmo, in a long, cream, black-netted dress, designed by Jenny Packham, with gold beading and little wing-like sleeves. She looked like a fairy princess.

"I first dressed her 10 years ago when she was a junior player. She is a fantastic player and really deserves this title.

"I also dressed the girlfriend and mother of Roger Federer.

"Although I have been doing this for 15 years, it still feels like a real privilege and it takes the hard work out of it for the players, who have worked so hard. The whole opportunity is fantastic and it is really lovely to hear the feedback from the players who really appreciate what I do."

Amelie Mauresmo was the first Frenchwoman in 81 years to win the Wimbledon singles title when she beat Belgium's Justine Henin-Hardenne on Saturday.