Tennis star Monica Puig wants Puerto Ricans to be positive in crisis

Monica Puig

San Juan (Puerto Rico): Puerto Rico star Monica Puig, the surprise winner of the Rio Olympics women's singles tennis tournament, sent a message of hope to residents of the Caribbean island who are suffering the consequences of the severe economic crisis.

Puig traveled to her birthplace to play an exhibition match on Thursday against Maria Sharapova. "Where there's a will, there's a way. With a positive attitude, we can move forward," Puerto Rico's first and only Olympic gold medallist said in a press conference. "Every day you can find some enjoyment despite the problems," said Puig, who makes infrequent trips to the island because of her travels on the WTA Tour.