Swiatek confesses: "I think it will give me a little more humility".
Although bronze medallist, Iga Swiatek fell from very great heights at these Olympic Games.
Announced as the undisputed favorite to win the Olympic title, the Pole finally fell, to everyone's surprise, in the semi-finals. Beaten by future Olympic champion Zheng (6-2, 7-5), Swiatek found it hard to put her disappointment into perspective.
Deeply affected by her setback, the world number 1 explained that she was going through very negative emotions, but above all confided that this setback should make her grow: "I cried a lot after I lost in Australia (in 2021) on the heels of my first Grand Slam at Roland-Garros. At least for three days.
If I hadn't played today (Friday), I might have cried for a week. It's been very difficult.
Most of the time, I'm able to put things into perspective by telling myself that it's just sport, just tennis.
But this time, it's as if my heart had been broken. I realize that I still have a lot of work to do to get to know myself better.
Because I've been n°1 for so long, I thought I was immune to everything, but this tournament has shown me that that's not the case.
I think it's going to give me a bit more humility. It could help me become better in the future."