RIO DE JANEIRO — Though she now lives in Miami, Monica Puig is not oblivious to the bad news that seems to come out of Puerto Rico constantly these days. An economic depression. Crime. A hot spot for the Zika virus.
But on the rare occasions a Puerto Rican athlete competes on the elite international stage, she knows how the island essentially stops in time and proudly waves its flag. That’s what made her 6-4, 1-6, 6-3 victory over two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova so special on Friday.
Not only does it put Puig into the championship match and guarantee Puerto Rico’s ninth’s Olympic medal all-time, it made her the island’s first female medalist in any sport and gives her a chance to claim her country’s first-ever gold.