ITF

148 P aola: It had been difficult to choose my doubles partner, as I had different options. Some girls were playing professional tournaments during the season, but it was not the case for Pato [Tarabini]. But I trusted she was the best option. So we had to speak with her about coming back to the competition and we made a plan to be sure her comeback would be okay. We were really focused on winning the gold. We had great expectations and this was an extra pressure for us. When we won the match for the bronze medal, we started jumping and cheering. They were incredible sensations. I think that moment will be with me for the rest of my life. Also the ceremony was incredible. You are there after all those days... It is amazing. I'm really happy with myself. I truly wanted that medal. Previously I had had some other dreams, like keeping the No. 1 doubles ranking as long as possible with Vivi Ruano [Pascual], also to be Top 10 in singles. All these things had come to me and I really wanted to win a medal. They are great memories, unforgettable. From Athens I flew directly to the US Open. And after that, I came back to my country. My family and close friends were waiting for me and it was exciting to share with them my happiness and look at home for a place to keep my medal. I remember that my brother told me by telephone he had been watching our matches in the pub, together with friends, and these are also good memories. If we only consider it in terms of a result, it is like a Grand Slam. But if we talk about feelings, it is my best one. Having an Olympic medal around your neck is a prize, and to share it with so many people in your country is a chance you have just a few times. It is super exciting. I remember being at the Olympic Village and you feel like a grain of sand, an ant, with so many people, trying to find the ones you know. The thing I remember the most is the mix of cultures – all countries are there, all religions. We live together, we are all equal. It is extraordinary this could happen in a moment when so many things are happening out of sport. But there, it doesn't matter if the person next to you is black or white, or what his or her religion is. They were incredible sensations. I think that moment will be with me for the rest of my life. P atricia: It was exciting. I remember Las Leonas [Argentinian women's hockey team] were there and also the basketball team and they were encouraging us. Then, you have the podium ceremony and you realise only then what you have achieved. During the match you suffer, and we were a little frustrated after losing the chance of being in the final. But then you start thinking that not so many people have the opportunity of being there and you know you are there, and this is the moment. I appreciated the recognition of the Argentinian people. In the rest of the season it is more about you, your family, friends, people who enjoy tennis, but at the Games you feel a whole nation is with you. I spent four more months playing abroad after Athens, but when I finally went back home, people explained to me how exciting the match had been for them. So the feeling was still alive for them. What I remember the most is an 80-year-old man who came to me and said he was a big tennis fan, and that our medal was the most beautiful thing he had experienced in the Games. This is still something that stays with me. My medal takes first place in my career. Then being Top 10 in doubles, 29 in singles, and winning Roland Garros with Javier Frana [mixed doubles]. It's mainly because of the emotion and the recognition of your effort, because it's something you have not done for money. Now that I'm living in the United States, when people talk about me, they refer to me and introduce me as an Olympic medallist. When I was asking for a green card and I put 'Olympic medallist', it all came back to me. When you tell people you have won an Olympic medal, they cannot believe it. It's only with time that you realise not a lot of people can say that. An 80-year-old man came to me and said he was a big tennis fan, and that our medal was the most beautiful thing.

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