Donna Vekic has made history by becoming the first Croatian tennis player to reach the Olympic singles final. The 28-year-old achieved this feat by defeating Slovakia’s Anna Karolina Schmiedlova on Thursday, a victory that marked a remarkable turnaround in her career. Not long ago, Vekic was considering stepping away from the sport due to a series of setbacks, including knee surgery.
Vekic, currently ranked 21st in the world, found herself struggling with motivation and energy earlier this year, particularly before the French Open. Reflecting on that period during Wimbledon, she confessed that she had nearly withdrawn from the tournament, feeling disheartened by her recent performances and the lack of expected results. Her discouragement peaked after a third-round exit at the French Open to qualifier Olga Danilovic.
However, Vekic’s determination paid off as she continued to push through. Her perseverance led her to a semi-final appearance at Wimbledon, where she narrowly lost in a grueling match against Jasmine Paolini. This resurgence in form has now culminated in an Olympic final, an achievement that seemed distant just a few months ago.
In her semi-final match against Schmiedlova, Vekic delivered a commanding performance, winning 6-4, 6-0. Despite her dominant display, she admitted to feeling extremely nervous, even more so than during her Wimbledon semi-final. “It was hard to focus because the pressure of playing for an Olympic medal is unlike anything else,” she remarked. “There were moments when I just wanted to leave the court.”
Vekic’s path to the final was not without challenges. She faced second seed Coco Gauff and survived a marathon match against Marta Kostyuk in the quarter-finals, where she had to overcome a match point while double-faulting. Her success against these formidable opponents showcased her resilience and adaptability.
Surprisingly, Vekic will not face world number one Iga Swiatek in the final, as the Polish star was upset by China’s Zheng Qinwen. Vekic acknowledged the strength of her upcoming opponent, stating, “When I saw that Iga lost, I thought, ‘I have to win this match.’ Qinwen has been playing excellent tennis, so it’s going to be a tough challenge.”
As Vekic prepares for the final, she carries the hopes of Croatia on her shoulders, standing on the brink of a potential gold medal and a momentous achievement for her career and country.
