Before the French Open in May, Donna Vekic was feeling drained and demotivated despite her lackluster results. She even contemplated quitting tennis altogether at 27. However, she decided to give it one more shot by participating in Roland Garros, where she experienced a heartbreaking defeat in the third round to Olga Danilovic of Serbia.
Fast forward two months to the 2024 Paris Olympics, and Vekic, now ranked world No 21, is defying all odds by reaching the semifinals and being on the verge of a medal. This would mark the pinnacle of her career, which has mostly seen success at the 250 level of the WTA Tour.
During her Paris run, Vekic defeated notable players like Coco Gauff and Marta Kostyuk, showcasing her mental toughness and resilience in the face of adversity.
Her remarkable progress and achievements also extend to her recent run at Wimbledon, where she reached the semifinals. Vekic’s journey has been characterized by setbacks, including knee surgery and underwhelming performances, but she has managed to bounce back stronger each time.
Now, at 28, Vekic is fully committed to her tennis career, leaving behind thoughts of retirement and focusing on seizing every opportunity that comes her way.