MonicaPuig
There are few more instantly likeable tennis players than Monica Puig. With a smile as big as her forehand, she is someone who seems to love the life of professional tennis player, and that isn’t the case for everyone. Until the summer of 2016, her vast talent went largely unfulfilled. She enjoyed a break-out year in 2013, infiltrating the world’s Top 100 and reaching the last 16 at Wimbledon, but then stalled. That is until she arrived in Rio to represent her country. One after another, Puig blasted her way past French Open champion Garbine Muguruza, two-time Wimbledon winner Petra Kvitova, before meeting Australian Open champion Angelique Kerber in the final. Puig outlasted Kerber in three sets, providing a first-ever Olympic gold medal for the country of Puerto Rico.
TIE BREAK STRENGTHS
EXPLOSIVENESS
Monica Puig doesn’t immediately look a player that will be full of power and explosiveness. Until you watch her play tennis and see her timing. She can take the play away from any opponent.
EFFERVESCENCE
The optimism and energy of Puig is apparent as soon as she takes to the court. It breeds assertive, aggressive play that can overwhelm opponents in a tie-break.
THE OLYMPIC MEMORY
She will be able to feed off the memory of her gold-medal winning performance at the 2016 Olympics in Rio for the rest of her life. That inspiration can serve her well in any high-octane tie-break.
