Swiatek sheds tears following second-round loss in Tokyo 

There’s no feeling quite like the pride of representing your country at the Olympics, especially for the first time. Unfortunately, there’s also no sting like the experience going differently than you’d hoped. Iga Swiatek knows that first hand.

The 20-year-old fell to Spain’s Paula Badosa in the second round on Monday in straight sets, 6-3, 7-6 (4). Swiatek was seeded sixth at the Summer Games, and moved past Germany’s Mona Barthel seamlessly in the first round. Upon losing to Badosa, the Pole dissolved into tears on court and remained on her bench until she could regain her composure.

It was an incredible performance from Badosa, who is enjoying a successful 2021 season. The 23-year-old is coming off a Roland Garros quarterfinal, her first WTA title in Belgrade, and reached the second week of Wimbledon. Swiatek was quick to admit that the Spaniard brought her A game to Tokyo.

“Sometimes I felt like (I was playing) against a wall, I was a lot defensive. It was a very demanding game," Swiatek told press in Tokyo.

Still, it’s a difficult pill to swallow for the 2020 Roland Garros champion. Expectations of Swiatek have soared since she won the clay-court Slam last year, and she undoubtedly had higher hopes for her maiden Olympics. The pressure and pride that comes with playing for your country at the largest sporting event in the world likely surpasses that of any other tennis tournament, and Swiatek didn’t take it lightly. After winning her first-round match, she became just the third Polish player to win an Olympic singles match, and she had relished making Poland proud.

Once she collected herself following her loss, Swiatek commented on the heightened emotions that players deal with regularly.

“We are also human. Competing at the highest level every week is not easy. Tennis is such a frustrating sport at times, but of course there is nothing to complain about," Swiatek said.

If there’s one thing we know about Swiatek, it’s that she doesn’t stay down when she falls. The world No. 8 will return to court for the upcoming hard court swing, ready for more.