Serena Williams won her first title in three years with a straight-sets win over Jessica Pegula in Auckland final on Sunday afternoon.
Williams, the top seed, beat her fellow American 6-3 6-4 to win a 73rd tour title.
Her last came at Australian Open 2017, when she was eight weeks pregnant with daughter Alexis Olympia.
Since returning to the tour as a mother in March 2018, Williams advanced to five finals – including four Grand Slam deciders – and lost them all.
Her celebration when Pegula’s final backhand flew long told a story.
"Oh, it feels good! It's been a long time. I think you could see the relief on my face,” she said.
“I played an incredible opponent today in Jessica, and honestly, great match – I couldn't have played anyone better in this final.
“I'm proud of you and I know you work really hard and I kind of know your coach (David Witt) really well so I always cheer for you (smiling).
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"It definitely feels good. It feels like I was definitely improving as the week went on and obviously I needed to because I feel like I had a lot of tough matches this week.
"I played every day, so I'm just still here. And I still have another match (smiling)."
Indeed, Williams will return to play the doubles final with Caroline Wozniacki, who Pegula beat in the semifinals.
In the early stages of the singles final, Serena appeared nervous and lacked timing on her shots, contributing to unforced errors – and mounting frustration.
Pegula broke serve in the opening game, held another four break points in the third game to extend her lead to 3-0, and despite losing those she held in the following game to push ahead 3-1.
At this juncture, Williams settled, cleaned up her game, and mounted a comeback.
She rattled off five straight games to take the first set, and jumped ahead a break in the second as Pegula struggled to cope with Williams’ weight, depth and intensity of shot.
Williams earned three championship points in the penultimate game only for the 82nd-ranked Pegula to hit her way out of trouble and extend her time on court.
Yet showing few signs of nerves, Williams sauntered confidently out of her chair to the baseline following the changeover and closed out the win with a hold at love.
"I feel so fortunate and blessed just to be able to be out here and be healthy and to play,” she said.
“I've been out here so long and I've been through so much, so it's good to be able to come and do what I do. I feel like I just feel so happy to do something that I absolutely love.
"I would like to thank my coach for hanging in there with me all these years. It's been a long journey, so thank you, Patrick. I really appreciate your dedication and (for) motivating me and making me not stay satisfied with what I've done in the past.
"Also my husband Alexis for being ... dealing with my awful attitude (laughter). It's a lot. I'm a lot (smiling)."
During the trophy presentation, Williams announced she would donate the entirety of her prize money – US$43,000 – to Australian bushfire relief efforts.
She will also take part in the AO Rally for Relief exhibition event at Rod Laver Arena on Wednesday 15 January.
Williams will then turn her attention to Australian Open 2020, beginning Monday 20 January, where she will be aiming for an eighth title at Melbourne Park -- and a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam singles title.