“If I hadn’t won the bronze, I would’ve cried for… .

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 site of 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 afterwards.

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.