Donna Vekic, known for her resilience and fighting spirit on the tennis court, found herself in a whirlwind of emotions after narrowly edging out Marta Kostyuk for a coveted spot in the Paris Olympics semifinals. The 28-year-old Croatian, visibly emotional after the intense battle, expressed her determination to give it her all in the upcoming match, stating that she “can die” if she emerges victorious.
The match between Vekic and Kostyuk was nothing short of a rollercoaster ride, with both players showcasing their skill and determination. Despite facing a match point and trailing in the third-set tie-break, Vekic refused to back down and ultimately triumphed over the 19th-ranked Kostyuk with a scoreline of 6-4 2-6 7-6 (8) in a grueling contest that lasted nearly three hours.
Reflecting on her performance, Vekic acknowledged the challenges she faced during the match but credited her unwavering belief in herself for the hard-fought victory. “This was a crazy, crazy match. Honestly, I believed I could win until the end, even when she was leading 5:2, even when she had the match point. I continued to fight and believed that I could win,” Vekic shared in an interview with HRT.
As Vekic prepares to take on world No. 67 Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the semifinals, she is acutely aware of the significance of the moment. With a chance to secure her first Olympic medal, the Croatian athlete is focused on the task at hand, despite feeling the pressure that comes with such high-stakes matches.
“This is brutal, this tennis is a brutal sport. That double fault when I was serving for the match, that never happens to me in normal tournaments, now I’m playing for Croatia, there was so much nervousness, before the match I felt sick, I literally felt like throwing up because of how nervous I was. I somehow managed to push it through and just to somehow win that match tomorrow and then I can die,” Vekic revealed, highlighting the intensity of the moment and the determination driving her forward.
With the spotlight firmly on her, Vekic is poised to deliver yet another memorable performance on the court as she vies for a shot at Olympic glory. As the tennis world watches with bated breath, the stage is set for a showdown between two fierce competitors, each hungry for victory and eager to etch their name in the annals of tennis history.
