Issue link: http://itf.uberflip.com/i/1416788
under such stress," said Bencic. "Immediately, when I saw that the ball was going out, I was just so relieved and I remember all of my body was just relaxing. "I fell to the ground and it was a really great moment because I was so nervous before the match point and just wanted to finish the match. For sure, the biggest emotion was relief." While there is little which surpasses Olympic gold, there is always speculation that a title of this magnitude could prompt something of a trophy charge – there is past evidence for the Games acting as a launchpad – in the years ahead. In the weeks following Tokyo 2020, Bencic began to substantiate arguments in favour of such a theory by reaching the quarter- finals at the US Open where Above le Four of Bencic's six matches went to three sets Above right The emo on at the moment of victory was palpable she succumbed to eventual champion and Great British trailblazer Emma Raducanu. This was her third appearance in a Grand Slam quarter-final and her best performance at a major since 2019 when she made the last four at Flushing Meadows before bowing out at the hands of Canada's Bianca Andreescu. With Bencic more than comfortable with – and indeed enjoying – her newly- acquired status as Olympic champion, she believes she is evolving into a different animal on court following her exploits in Japan. "Maybe there has been a little bit of a change for me on the court with having such an achievement under my belt," added Bencic. "I feel very relaxed and relieved. "I have been able to win something very big and complete a big title in my career, which makes me very happy and relaxed. I feel I am playing very good tennis and I am very motivated to play again and compete for more. "Aside from that, nothing else has really changed much. I am still training, competing at tournaments and travelling all around the world. Perhaps the only thing that has changed a little is the amount attention and the number of media requests. "I am very pleased that people are happy about my win and want to be a part of it and know about it. It has also been very nice to come back home and show the medals to my friends and family." Part of this growth may well stem from her exposure to other athletes within the Olympic Village in Tokyo, whether they be from 12 Tokyo 2020 ITF World