ITF

113 D ominique: A year before, in 1999, I contacted Els and I proposed that we play doubles together. I knew that we really had a chance to play well together, and definitely to qualify for the Olympics. Els: It was quite an amazing experience because okay, we went with a goal, but even arriving there I did find it amazing to be with all the best athletes of the world. I think that was a real honour already. I did feel even more stress than a normal tournament. On the evening before the (bronze medal) match we were allowed out of the Olympic Village because the coach said it was the biggest match of our lives we were going to play, so we were to go out, relax and get a little bit away from the stress because it was important to feel good the next day. Dominique: Every time I take my medal with me and show it to people, I still remember the image that comes first – that moment you are on the podium, I remember that I had to bend to help the person put it around my neck. It was the first time that we got a medal in tennis for Belgium; after of course Justine [Henin] got a gold medal, but we were the first ones to receive one. I was very proud of myself and proud to represent my country – I always loved to play Fed Cup. It's just an amazing feeling to stand on the podium and receive a medal. I never thought in my life I would win any medal at the Olympic Games so it was a very special feeling. SYDNEY 2000 WOMEN'S DOUBLES BRONZE Els: The feeling was indescribable I think because immediately we had an interview after and I couldn't speak because my emotions and feelings were that big. I almost couldn't say anything, I was speechless. Inside I was feeling so euphoric and I couldn't believe that I had won a medal. It had always been a dream and to realise it is still now one of the most fantastic feelings of my career. Dominique: This is for me the biggest victory that I had during my career and the one that, if you asked me, "What are your top three moments?" would be in the No. 1 spot. It's the greatest achievement you can have as an athlete – first to be part of the Olympic Games, but if you can win a medal it makes it even more special. Els: I think my popularity since then has been huge actually just because of the medal and the Olympics. If I had to say one of the biggest things I achieved, it was that bronze medal, absolutely. Dominique: I now do energy management and stress management in companies. It makes a difference that people know I won a medal. I feel it more in an Olympic year. I get more work! I get invited by some sponsors who ask me to come and talk about the Olympics and the atmosphere. This is the best experience you can have. You cannot even compare it to any other Grand Slam or tournament experience. This is for me the best sports event in the world, of all time. Els: When we had time, we played a little bit of golf on our day off to relax. It was good to create a bond because Dominique and I did everything that year. In the evening we went to dinner together, we went to the movies and we went shopping. Because we had that goal and we spent a lot of time together, we became really good friends and that was not actually the case before. Playing this Olympics really brought us together. Inside I was feeling so euphoric and I couldn't believe that I had won a medal.

• Cover