Belarusian pride fuels Aryna Sabalenka's excitement for this week's Tokyo Olympics.
The third-ranked Sabalenka told the ITF's Own the Moment Olympic series, she has two goals for her Olympic debut: make Belarusians proud of her and win a medal for the nation.
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"I'm really happy to represent my country, my people," Sabalenka told the ITF. "I want to do everything I can to make sure Belarus is proud of me. So it means a lot.
"I want to represent my country as strong people who can fight through everything and that actually means a lot. And I want Belarus people to be proud of me. This is something important for me."
Nine years ago, Victoria Azarenka and Max Mirnyi captured the mixed doubles gold medal on Wimbledon's grass at the London Olympics. Sabalenka aims to win her nation's first singles medal.
"Of course I've dreamed a lot about this. I will do everything I can to make this dream true," Sabalenka said.
Photo credit: Angel Martinez/Mutua Madrid Open Facebook