🎙️Maria Sakkari "A month ago I was in Abu Dhabi, I couldn't hit a ball over the net, and now I'm just here in one of the biggest tournaments playing another final."
Maria Sakkari 'couldn't hit a ball over the net' only weeks before making Indian Wells final in miraculous comeback
Tennis NewsSunday, 17 March 2024 at 12:32
It could be said as the David Witt effect or just merely a showcase of Maria Sakkari's resolve and never say die attitude that she has made the Indian Wells final with the WTA two-time title winner alarmingly revealing pre final that she couldn't hit the ball over the net a month ago.
Such was her woes which saw her break down in tears during her press conference at the US Open, go on to win Guadalajara but then be back to square one as the losses piled up.
She ditched Tom Hill though her six year coach and took on the services of a proven winner in David Witt who worked with Jessica Pegula through her rise to become one of tennis' top stars. In their first tournament together, Pegula won a title and albeit against a formidable Iga Swiatek in the final, it could come round again.
“Well, we always say in tennis one day can change everything,” the world No. 9 said.
“But a month ago I was in Abu Dhabi, I couldn't hit a ball over the net, and now I'm just here in one of the biggest tournaments playing another final. It's just that, you know, those are lessons and those are things that you have to just accept the more you're on the tour that you're going to have some bad times, and then things can really change in a week.”
“I'm just very happy that this has been the week that things have started changing, because you know how much I love this place, and I told myself that I want to stay here as long as I can, and here we are, staying until Sunday, Monday.”
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- LOL.MrAndreeva10-05-2024
- My money is simply on fatigue. She's not the compact 'muscle-man'-type like perhaps Sabalenka, Swiatek or Sakkari. She's a player desperately longing for some kind of Djokovic rhythm. She should skip lots to win more majors. And the rumour I thought wasn't it Long Covid?MrAndreeva10-05-2024
- If there is some other reason, like exhaustion or self-preservation by not playing in consecutive tourneys, then simply say so. There's no shame in self preservation. Since the WTA obviously does not seriously consider a player's physical and mental stress as they schedule back-to-back majors, it's okay to adhere to such a healthy agenda and admit it. The illness thing is kind of suspect at this point; if only because of the timing pattern.
mandoist10-05-2024 - So, Elena Rybakina has again withdrawn due to illness (in Rome). Fans are concerned if this is truly a gastrointestinal issue. Why the secrecy? Is it truly an illness causing these withdrawals? It may be helpful -- even encouraging -- for others whom also suffer whatever illness is ongoing here to know what she is dealing with; and how. A form of Colitis? Ulcers? What's up? Timing has been last minute. It's a bummer all around.mandoist10-05-2024
- Tennis is ridiculous to maintain the tradition of silence. If they can play in open courts like Rome with all the noise from each court they surely could survive cheering, etc., during play (i.e., a singles match with only a 2 meter fence between them and a men's doubles -- and very loud noise from each side).mandoist10-05-2024
