ITF

As the Swiss Psalm began to ring out, a beaming, if at times teary, Belinda Bencic stood atop the podium with a gold medal dangling from her neck. Her dreams had come true and the vision of Olympic glory, which she had held since childhood, was now a reality. An inspired Bencic had just defeated Czech Republic's Marketa Vondrousova to become the first Swiss woman – and only the second player from Switzerland after Marc Rosset in 1992 – to win gold at the Olympic Tennis Event. Following a whirlwind week, the hand of history was firmly on the 24-year-old's shoulder and despite all the emotion and ecstasy which an unexpected gold rush brings, Bencic was not about to let the moment pass her by. After all, many athletes share similar Olympic aspirations but never see them realised. But, as Bencic alluded to in the immediate aftermath of her headline- grabbing exploits, her career in many ways was now fulfilled and defined. An even happier ending to the fairytale was in the offing, only for Bencic and partner Viktorija Golubic to fall short against Czech duo Katerina Siniakova and Barbora Krejcikova in the women's doubles final. The golden narrative, however, was already secure. "It was the best moment being on the podium and hearing the national anthem of Switzerland," Bencic told ITFWorld. "It was really a moment when I was very emotional, and it is something that I always dreamed of. "I have watched it happen to other athletes on television and I had goosebumps all around my body. That is why it was the most special moment ever and I will never forget it. "I am still smiling all the time as it was just a magical, magical week and to win two medals was a dream come true. I never expected it as, for me, it was already a dream to be able to participate at the Olympics. "It was my first Olympics and it is finally sinking in. When I think about it, I am just so happy. It is forever and nobody can ever take this achievement away from me. I am very happy and very proud." Bencic's on-court brilliance contributed to her nation returning from Tokyo 2020 with a medal haul of 13, three of which were gold, with cycling and shooting the other sports to boast podium-toppers. It was Switzerland's most successful Olympics since Helsinki in 1952, and if the reception afforded to their returning heroes and heroines at Zurich Airport was anything to go by, it was a country shimmering with pride. "The reaction has been huge," said Bencic, who was named ITF Junior World Champion following a stellar 2013 during which she claimed the girls' titles at both Roland Garros and Wimbledon. "We had a great welcome at the airport. I was overwhelmed, there were so many people and they were all cheering. It was so loud. "I had a lot of family and friends there and it was a huge thing. It was something I wasn't really prepared for, but it was the best welcome I ever had coming home. "The support in general was unreal. I had goosebumps all around my body 08 Tokyo 2020 ITF World

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