Why Is Defending Gold Medalist Monica Puig Not Participating in Tokyo Olympics 2021?

Former World No. 27 Monica Puig had made history in 2016 when she became the first Puerto Rican to win an Olympic Gold medal. Puig had surprised many favorites that year to clinch a gold medal in singles. However, now as the 2021 Tokyo Olympics is here, she will not be defending her gold medal.

Monica Puig will not take part in Tokyo Olympics 2021 as she recently underwent a shoulder injury. She is recovering from the surgery and will not be ready in time for the Olympics. Monica Puig will miss the rest of the 2021 season. She had announced the unfortunate news on her Instagram profile.

“This does put me in a very difficult position and having to sit out of the Tokyo Olympics this year. It is very difficult, and it was with a very heavy heart that I took this decision. Obviously, my team and I are thinking long term and prolonging my career for as many years as possible and hoping to play in the Paris 2024 Olympics,” Monica Puig said.

Puig emphasized preserving her body for the future and not rushing things. Hence she and her team are keen to represent Puerto Rico in the 2024 Paris Olympics and possibly continue her winning streak.

Monica Puig and her magical run at 2016 Rio Olympics

Back in 2016, Puig made her first appearance at an Olympic event. That year was Puig’s best year in tennis. She reached the third round of the French Open and Australian Open. Monica had also reached the finals of Sydney Internationals that year.

In the Rio Olympics, she was unseeded. And en route to the gold medal, she beat 2016 French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, who was the third seed. Then later, she beat 11th seed and two-time Grand Slam champion Petra Kvitova in the semifinals. In the finals, she came up against World No.2 Angelique Kerber and pulled off the upset.

Puig beat Kerber in three sets to become the first unseeded player to win Olympic gold in singles and put Puerto Rico on the Olympic map.

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