"If I hadn’t won the bronze, I would've cried for a week": Iga Swiatek on winning historic Olympic medal after 6-hour crying session following SF loss
Iga Swiatek has opened up about her emotional reaction to losing out on the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Despite the disappointment, the World No. 1 took solace in clinching the bronze medal at the prestigious event, admitting that she had to adjust her strategy after her devastating loss.
Swiatek was the outright favorite to clinch her maiden gold medal in Paris, having recently won her fourth French Open title at Roland Garros, the venue for the Olympics. However, the high expectations also brought immense pressure, and the Pole faltered against Zheng Qinwen in the semifinals.
Despite entering the clash with a perfect 6-0 lead in their head-to-head record, the World No. 1 struggled to challenge Zheng, who claimed a 6-2, 7-5 victory to reach the final. Devastated by the broken dream of clinching her first gold medal, Swiatek broke down in tears while speaking to the press afterward.
Nevertheless, Iga Swiatek quickly regrouped and took on Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the bronze medal match, claiming a dominant 6-2, 6-1 win to clinch Poland's first-ever Olympic medal in tennis.
In an interview with Clay after her triumph, the World No. 1 reflected on her loss in the semifinals, describing it as one of the "hardest defeats" of her career. Swiatek revealed that she cried for six hours after the heartbreak and admitted that she likely would've continued weeping for a week if she lost the bronze medal match.
"I’ve never felt like this before. Yesterday I experienced one of the hardest defeats of my career," Iga Swiatek said.
"I cried for six hours yesterday, if I hadn’t won (the bronze) I would have cried for a week. Being number one makes me feel I can handle everything, but this tournament showed me that’s not the case. This motivates me to work harder," she added.
Iga Swiatek also confessed that the pressure of expectations impacted her performance during the semifinal clash, disclosing that she altered her approach to face the bronze medal match in a "better way."
"I realised that I had put on a very heavy backpack. The thought that I was playing for so many people added pressure that prevented me from playing my best tennis. I thought I had to play for myself and that’s how I faced the bronze match in a better way," Iga Swiatek said.
"I expected Iga Swiatek to win Olympic gold; It's Paris, that's her place" - Aryna Sabalenka
While the majority of the top WTA stars represented their countries at the 2024 Paris Olympics, Aryna Sabalenka opted to skip the prestigious event in favor of commencing her North American hardcourt swing at the Citi Open in Washington, D.C.
Speaking to the press after her commanding 6-4, 6-4 win over Victoria Azarenka in the quarterfinals of the WTA 500 event, the World No. 3 disclosed that she hadn't been following the action in Paris very closely.
However, Sabalenka admitted that she was surprised by Iga Swiatek's loss in the semifinals, sharing that she had expected the Pole to clinch the gold medal due to her impressive track record at Roland Garros.
"I don't want to say something bad about the players (Vekic and Zheng). Honestly, of course, I expected Iga Swiatek to win a gold medal. It's Paris. That's her place," she said.
Aryna Sabalenka is aiming to set up a blockbuster title clash against Paula Badosa at the Citi Open. Rain played spoilsport during Sabalenka's semifinal meeting with Marie Bouzkova, with the Belarusian leading 4-6, 6-3, 2-1 when play was suspended on Saturday, August 3. The match will continue on Sunday, with a spot in the final of the WTA 500 event at stake.