The U.S. did not medal in any of the five events at the Tokyo Games, marking just the second time that happened since tennis returned to the Olympic program in 1988. But regardless of whether or not Gauff finds herself on the podium when the Olympics conclude, she says she’s looking forward to “learn[ing] and … enjoy[ing]” all that awaits her.
“The excitement is overwhelming. You can’t wait to travel with your teammates, to take on the Olympic tennis tournament and hopefully increase the United States’ medal count that you continually check each Olympics,” she wrote.
“Besides the battle on the court, be sure to enjoy the whole experience outside the confines of Roland Garros. There will be athletes from across the world that you admire that you will have the opportunity to connect with. You can learn about new sports that have nothing to do with a baseline, backhand or the world of tennis.
“In your phone under your vision notes, you wrote that you want to win a medal at the Olympics. Gold, silver, bronze–it doesn’t matter. But you’ve already won, you’ve made your childhood dream of playing at the Olympics, representing the United States, a real reality. And now, finally, you get to enjoy it.”
