Monica Puig is the breakout star of the 2016 Summer Games in Rio, mowing down seeds en route to the gold medal in women’s singles final.
Overall, Puig dropped just 14 games in her first four matches, a run that included 6-1, 6-1 victories over both No. 3 seed and reigning French Open champion Garbiñe Muguruza of Spain and world No. 32 Laura Siegemund of Germany. Puig then defeated two-time Wimbledon champion Petra Kvitova of the Czech Republic, 6-4, 1-6, 6-3, on Friday to reach the gold medal match, where she topped reigning Australian Open champion and world No. 2 Angelique Kerber of Germany, 6-4, 4-6, 6-1.
Here are five things to know about this 22-year-old from San Juan:
- Puig was a standout junior who peaked at No. 2 in the world junior rankings in 2010. That year, she reached the semifinals of the Orange Bowl and the quarterfinals of the US Open Junior Championships and French Open juniors. In 2011, she reached the girls’ singles final at the Australian Open and the French Open before turning her attention to professional events full time.
- Puig finished in the year-end Top 100 for the first time in 2013, when she checked in at No. 55 in the world. She ended 2014 at No. 60 and 2015 at No. 92.
- She won her first and only tour title to date in Strasbourg, France, on clay in 2014. She has also won six ITF Pro Circuit events, four on hard courts and two on clay.
- Puig has competed in 14 Grand Slam main draws in her young career, highlighted by round-of-16 showing at Wimbledon in 2013. She also advanced to the third round of the Australian Open in 2016 and at the French Open in 2013 and 2016. Her best result at the US Open was the second round in 2014.
- Puig has enjoyed a career year in 2016, improving her ranking nearly 60 spots – she reached a career-best No. 33 in July – by qualifying and reaching the final in Sydney; advancing to the semifinals in Nottingham, Eastbourne and Florianopolis; and advancing to the third round at the Australian Open.
Editor's Note: This story was originally published on Friday, Aug. 12, and updated after Puig won the gold medal.
