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Sakkari Eyes Title Drought End After Grueling Comeback
4 Nov
Summary
- Maria Sakkari has climbed rankings after a serious shoulder injury.
- She overcame self-hatred and online abuse to regain her form.
- Sakkari seeks to end a three-year wait for a tennis title.
Maria Sakkari is on an ascendant path in her tennis career, having overcome a significant shoulder injury sustained during the 2024 US Open. This injury led to a tumble in her rankings and a period where she struggled, even having to compete in qualifiers and experiencing intense self-criticism.
During her comeback in early 2025, Sakkari faced difficulties and significant online abuse. However, she has since worked with specialists and her support team to shift focus from rankings to enjoying the game and improving her skills. This shift has contributed to her reaching a WTA 1000 semi-final in Qatar and a final in Athens.
Sakkari's journey has been documented, including her desperation for a title, having won only one in the four years prior to 2023. Despite the renewed success and personal happiness, including her upcoming marriage to Konstantinos Mitsotakis, she remains focused on her game. She is set to compete in the Hong Kong Tennis Open, seeking to end her current three-year wait for silverware.
As she prepares for her next match, Sakkari acknowledges the demanding nature of tournaments and the benefits of performing well in terms of ranking points. She is looking forward to her first career meeting with Australian player Maya Joint.
