Canadian athletes at the Paris 2024 Olympics have come with some mission and with each passing day, they seem to be defying all odds. While everyone was already overloaded with the joy of gold medals by Summer, the duo of Auger Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski have sent everyone over the moon with another bronze to the tally. On Friday, fans witnessed a historic win by Auger Aliassime and Gabriela Dabrowski in mixed doubles.
Aliassime and Dabrowski played their skin out and made a gritty win over the Netherlands’ Demi Schuurs and Wesley Koolhof. The match ended up far closer than it needed to be with a 6-3, 7-6(2) score played at Roland-Garros. The two played a lot more aggressively than the day before when they lost to Czechia’s Katerina Siniakova and Tomas Machac, which played to their advantage.
“We’ve been, as Olympians, playing for something bigger than ourselves,” said Dabrowski to Team Canada. “So to have achieved a medal is extremely fulfilling and validating for all the hard work and sacrifice that we’ve put in our whole lives, and everyone around us as well: parents, coaches, trainers.” 
“It’s been an honor to play alongside other athletes who view the Olympics as highly as I do.” “I just feel like there’s almost nothing better than winning a medal, because it means so much more than something that you accomplish for your individual career,” Sshe added.
“It’s just so much bigger than yourself. So to be in a position where I can give back and represent and do it alongside some unbelievable athletes, I can’t ask for anything more.”
The emotional impact of competing on this stage cannot be replicated, added Auger-Aliassime. “That’s why we play tennis and in general, that’s why people follow sports, to share these kinds of emotions.” “Sometimes we keep a pretty serious face on the court, but as people, we do this for the emotions we can live.”
“We definitely lived that today, and we got what we worked for, for so many years.”
The two who come from immigrant backgrounds, have defied all odds but their journey hasn’t been easy. They were united by a passion for tennis and earned Canada’s second Olympic medal in tennis which speaks volume of what sports mean in the world. Despite missing the medal by a whisk during their debut, they have returned with a performance that would be remembered for eternity.
Aliassime Poised to Take Another Paris 2024 Victory Home
Olympic pressure is in itself a great deal to play under but it has been enjoying ride for Aliassime. He has been juggling hours of singles play with doubles matches before dawn. But all the pain and exhaustion has been tantalizing enough for him to persevere. Despite all that, his Paris 2024 Olympic journey does not end there for him, as he would now be fighting to bag another bronze medal.
After a close match against the second-seeded Spaniard, where his dreams to win gold were crushed. He would be seen competing against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy on Saturday. At this point, his victory will be the first Olympic medal for Canada in singles tennis.
Aliassime said to CBC Olympics, “Try hard again tomorrow, as we did today.” “Try to bounce back, try to play a little bit better, try to compete better and get another medal for myself and the team.”
“That’s all I hope I can do tomorrow, but it’s going to be another big challenge, for sure.”
In Paris 2024, the Canadian Tennis team has achieved benchmark results and all eyes are on Aliassime to add cherry on the top and ink his name in the history.
For more updates, stay tuned to WSG.
