Donna Vekic becomes the first Croatian player in history to reach the Olympics Singles Final

Donna Vekic has made history on Thursday (August 1) as the first Croatian tennis player to reach the Olympics Singles Final.

Donna Vekic becomes the first Croatian player in history to reach the Olympics Singles Final

Donna Vekic reacts after winning over Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in the women's singles semi-final match at the Paris Olympics (Via Imago)

Donna Vekic continued her sublime form this summer by reaching the Olympic gold medal match on Thursday (August 1). The Croatian became the first female player from her country to achieve this milestone.

Vekic defeated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova in straights to secure her spot in the gold medal match. She will now play Qinwen Zheng for the ultimate prize, who crushed the gold medal hopes of Iga Swiatek earlier in the day.

YouTube video

It has been an unbelievable journey for Vekic, who looked certain to end her career as recently as May. The Croatian had reportedly told her coach that she wanted to pull out of Roland Garros due to unsatisfactory results.

FS Video
I have no words. I cant believe it. I am so happy. This was one of my main goals, perhaps the biggest, I had since I started my career. I took it point by point and didn’t try to think too much ahead.
Donna Vekic said post her Thursday’s historic win

However, she played in Paris, where she lost in the third round to Olga Danilovic of Serbia. Fast forward less than two months, the 28-year-old reached the Wimbledon semifinals and now finds herself within one match of an Olympic gold medal.

Donna Vekic makes Croatia proud at the Paris Olympics

Croatian tennis player Donna Vekic has secured at least a silver medal at the Paris Olympics. In the women’s tennis semifinals, she dominated Anna Karolina Schmiedlova from Slovakia with a score of 6-4, 6-0.

Donna Vekic vs Anna Karolina Schmiedlova
Donna Vekic (Image via Imago)

Vekic will face Qinwen Zheng from China in the final, scheduled for Saturday (August 3). Despite a challenging three-hour quarterfinal match against Marta Kostyuk, Vekic was well-prepared and focused for the semifinal.

My goal is to win gold but regardless I will enjoy the final on Saturday.
Donna Vekic said on the upcoming finals

With this win, Vekic has contributed to Croatia’s third Olympic medal in Paris. Previously, Miran Maricic won bronze in archery, and Barbara Matic earned a medal in judo.

This is also Croatia’s sixth Olympic medal in tennis. The country has previously won medals with Goran Ivanisevic, Marija Ancic, Ivan Ljubicic, Nikola Mektic, Mate Pavic, Marin Cilic, and Ivan Dodig.

In case you missed it!