From earlier this evening,Ash Barty and John Peers spoke after winning bronze in the mixed doubles.
They won because Novak Djokovic forced Serbia into a forfeit,he picked up a shoulder injury in his singles bronze medal match loss to Pablo Carreno Busta.
![Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty.](https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_300%2C$height_150/t_crop_auto/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/0c9ea8b0e595ab53b3bc91b709e6baf7f33c4f42)
Novak Djokovic and Ashleigh Barty.The Age
This was Australia’s first Olympic tennis medal since Alicia Molik won bronze in the singles at Athens in 2004,and Barty and Peers were understandably delighted to win the medal.
“Obviously it is incredibly tough for team Serbia … for John and I it is a dream come true,” Barty said.
“To add to the Australian tally is incredible.
“We have absolutely made the most of it,we have enjoyed every minute. You see the raw emotion out of all the athletes … this is the pinnacle of sport for a lot of things.”
Peers said:“It was one of our goals to walkaway with a medal for Australia … it is something amazing.
“The Olympics is so special for all of us here. ”
Djokovic said he had to leave everything out on the court in the singles.
“It’s part of the DNA as professional athletes. It’s a given that you must always give your very last source of energy that you have left,” he said.
“I’ve done that,the result wasn’t great,but I’m at least pleased with the effort I’ve given on the court.
“I know I have not played well today,or yesterday in the second and third set.”