Greek tragedy: Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas continue to be intertwined with both set to fall out of top 10 next week

Sunday, 18 February 2024 at 14:00

Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas have long been intertwined and heralded Greek hopes, but this has turned into a bit of a Greek tragedy with the next week seeing both falling out of the top 10 after two and a half and five years respectively.

Both are at interesting junctures of their careers with Tsitsipas showing glimmers at the Australian Open, but at times has been dogged by inconsistency and the same can be said recently for Sakkari who has gone from one of the most consistent players on the WTA circuit to one that has a habit of losing to low ranked players. She has since ditched long-time coach Tom Hill as she searches for answers.

Read also

But they are also intertwined more than is thought. At the 2019 Australian Open, they became the first Greek woman and man to make the third round at the same Grand Slam since 1936 to start with. On adjoining days in 2019, Sakkari won her first title on clay and on the day after, Tsitsipas followed suit with his first clay title.

At the 2021 French Open, both had their best chances at a Grand Slam title with Sakkari having match point against Barbora Krejcikova in the semi-finals and Tsitsipas going 2-0 up in sets over Novak Djokovic in the final. Both hold career high rankings of World No.3, both in 2022. In 2023, they won one title apiece and both came in Mexico with Tsitsipas aiming to defend Los Cabos next week.

They will leave the top 10 on the same day and also both personally are a Leo in terms of star sign and had mothers on the WTA Tour in both instances. Forever intertwined and the same can be said for their decline out of the top 10 next week. A Greek tragedy indeed.

Read also

Bastien Fachan

@BastienFachan

·Follow

Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas, forever intertwined: - At the 2019 Australian Open, Sakkari and Tsitsipas became the first Greek woman & man to make the R3 at the same Grand Slam since 1936 - On May 4, 2019, Sakkari won her first title, on clay - On May 5, 2019, Tsitsipas

12:49 PM · Feb 17, 2024

1.7K

Read 22 replies

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

See author's posts

claps 0visitors 0

ATP PRIZE MONEY and Points Breakdown 2024 Los Cabos Open with $915,245 on offer

"It has hurt me a lot": Carlos Alcaraz left deflated and needing answers after shock Jarry defeat at Argentina Open