My Olympic memory: Monica Seles

I was excited to have won a medal and at the same exhausted. Playing my matches, supporting my teammates and going to watch all the other sports, the schedule gets to you but I wouldn't have changed anything.  

I wouldn't say the hardest thing, but for me was the most fun was battling it out for the bronze medal [against Jelena Dokic]. In tennis as you know when you lose in the semifinals you are on to the next tournament, and here you have one more huge match ahead of you. 

I’m very proud of my bronze medal and it was a fantastic experience being part of the Olympics. I donated my medal together with all my winner’s trophies to the International Tennis Hall of Fame museum in Newport, Rhode Island. This way people who walk through the museum can enjoy it instead of me having it in my house.  

For me the best part was being around other great athletes who are the best in their sport and where do you have that camaraderie? As an athlete usually you are an outsider as you don't have the time for the leisure stuff and hanging out with your friends, as your schedule is school plus tennis plus tennis tournaments.  

It was fantastic to pick the other athletes’ brains about training, how they deal with pressure etc... my favourite place was the cafeteria and I got to meet so many athletes in a casual setting and share stories with them. 

Having dinner with all the great athletes and talking to them like regular people was super cool. I had to sometimes pinch myself when I talked to a few of them. One of the athletes I always admired and respected so much is Nadia Comaneci. Talking to her in the Village I will always remember, and how down to earth she was with all the success she had.  

My advice would be enjoy every moment and stay focused. It’s a very unique experience. The opening day ceremony is one of the best shows I have seen in my life. So much positive energy.