This summer will mark the fourth anniversary of Monica Puig’s biggest achievement in her professional life, but it came at a cost.
At the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, the Puerto Rican was unseeded in the women’s draw with few predicting her to become the champion. Nevertheless, she defied the odds with wins over Garbine Muguruza, Petra Kvitova and Angelique Kerber en route to the title. The achievement elevated Puig to the limelight and made her a national hero back home. Puig became Puerto Rico’s first ever Olympic champion.
“When I’m fine, I’m not afraid to compete with anyone. You put Serena [Williams] in front, I will respect her, but I value myself and I know I can beat him. In that week I believed that in every game I had a chance to win.” Puig said during an interview with the La Nacion newspaper.
Unfortunately the success soon took its toll on Puig, who is now 26. She hasn‘t won any other tournament since then with her only final appearance occurring at the 2017 Luxemburg Open. She has been able to maintain her place in the top 100, but is now in danger of dropping out after falling to a current position of 87th.
As questions mounted over her inability to capitalise on success from 2016, Puig was dealing with her own demons in secret. Revealing that the expectation that was placed on her shoulders following the Olympics soon triggered a battle with depression.
“My last three years have been dark. I didn’t have a focus. I was very entangled in a lot of things and I neglected myself. I didn’t pay attention to valuable things or those that interested me; I just pleased others.” She revealed.
“I stopped going out with friends and family. I was always on the phone and reading comments on social networks, which I did pay attention to. I could have fifteen positive messages, but I read only one negative and that sank me. I was too bad.”
Puig has overcome her struggles with the help of those around her, but it hasn’t been easy. When asked by La Nacion if she sought help from a psychiatrist, she said it was difficult before she is ‘learning to express herself better and trust healthy people.’
“I want to be very sincere, because I know that athletes serve as an image for youth and I want them to know that it is not all rosy.”
Despite her problems on and off the court, the former world No.27 has no intention of ending her career yet. So far she has scored seven wins over top-10 opposition, including Aryna Sabalenka last year. The women’s tour has been renowned for its inconsistency in recent time. Highlight by the last 10 grand slam events being won by eight different players. However, Puig has her own theory.
“There are different talents: there are some that play flatter, others with which they hit you with a top, others that have different shots.” She explained.
“There are young people with incredible results, like Coco Gauff, who plays without fear, or like Sofia Kenin, who competes very well. Both may be losing but they don’t give you opportunities to lower the level.’
“The current women’s tennis is very interesting. And there are very offensive players, the points are finished in two or three shots. Men’s tennis is nice to see because they build the point more, it’s like a story they tell. In women, the story ends quickly. It is different, but very funny.“
This week will see Puig returning to action for the first time since having elbow surgery. She underwent the procedure to resolve a compressed ulnar nerve. Her first tournament is the Oracle Challenger Series, which is a WTA 125 event. She will be seeded 11th in the draw.
