"We don't win many medals" says Elina Svitolina on winning Bronze for Ukraine

Despite not winning the gold medal which was her personal goal before coming to Tokyo, Elina Svitolina still sees pride in winning a medal even if it's the least desirable one. She came back sensationally in the 3rd set to beat Elena Rybakian who was inches away from the match win. The Kazakhstani player was up 3-0 and 40-15 but still lost.

After the match Svitolina said:

“Coming here, for sure my goal was to win a gold medal, and it was extremely tough to lose in the semi-finals and then try to regroup and come again against a top player who is playing really good. To win such a big battle for the bronze medal definitely means the world to me. Everyone in Ukraine is watching – we don’t win so many medals, you know – so for sure, it’s very special for me and for Ukraine.”

Svitolina underlined the Olympics as a success as she won a medal for her country and fought hard all week long in very tough conditions. She explained:

“I hoped to win an Olympic medal for my country – and that’s not easy. All of the competitors were fighting, all of the matches were tough battles – this is what you expect at the Olympics, right? I was upset to have lost in the semi-finals but now I’m happy having won the bronze. I’m really proud of myself this week, and winning bronze crowns is for sure.”