ITF

162 I t is the most important achievement of my career, for sure. Mainly because of the experience itself. It was a great week, a rainy one, we had two or three tough matches and we were almost defeated. So, for all these situations, it became more special. I remember Vivi [Ruano Pascual] had explained to me that her silver medal in Athens was a bittersweet experience because it is a big achievement in your career but at the same time, it means a defeat. So, my best memory is our win in the semifinal match because that meant we were going to have a medal. The final was not a great match. We knew they [the Williams sisters] were really difficult and Vivi was injured in her leg at the end of the first set, so we couldn't do a lot. It is like any other tournament. The only difference, what makes it really special, is that you are not only representing yourself, you are representing your country, and you know all of that country is looking at you and if you get a good result it is a big joy for everybody. This is what makes it more special. We are used to competing in singles and playing for ourselves and it is true that when you play together, it is something different. When you are on the court with your partner, you can celebrate things with her. And the big hug at the end of the match is a more intense feeling. I flew directly to the United States and I went back home one month later. So I didn't get the usual welcome to the Olympic Games medallists. After the Games, everything started to calm down. I remember a local newspaper came to wait for me, but it was one month after and everything was quite calm. When people know about it or read my story, they are surprised, it's true. It is something really appreciated by sport lovers. I have a lot of great memories and I remember them when the Games are starting. ANABEL MEDINA GARRIGUES Spain The experience of the Olympic Village was really nice. Because of the good relationship between Rafa Nadal and top basketball player Pau Gasol, we were located close to the basketball team and we spent a lot of time with them. It was a brilliant experience. We also took part in the opening ceremony and the moment when you get into the stadium is something to remember. I have a picture taken in the Olympic Village while we were spending an evening there, and it was really curious because all the people in the picture won a medal after that picture was taken. You can see in that picture the synchronized swimming team, the basketball team, Rafa Nadal, Vivi Ruano, myself... I explained to Vivi this curious fact and we laughed. The moment when you get into the stadium is something to remember.

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