"Constantly chased and having to prove something": Maria Sakkari aims to rebuild after succumbing to burden of pressure

Maria Sakkari sits in a position which is alien in that she now has to rebuild after years in the top 10, she has slid down the trap door after a shoulder injury ended her 2024 season early.

Sakkari spoke to WTA Insider after her opener at the Qatar Open with Iga Swiatek next about how she believes the shoulder injury she suffered was down to the weight of pressure and expectation finally getting to her having spent most of the past few years in the top five.

"The pressure, it was a lot, being constantly chased and having to prove something to everyone," Sakkari told WTA Insider by phone after her first-round win at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open.

"I feel the time off was great because I had time to think about a lot of things and see things differently because when you are on tour you never really relax and take time for yourself. It was great that I had that time just to see things differently."

Read also

Tournament Centre Qatar Open WTA 2025: Schedule, results, Prize Money and TV Guide

Now with a new coach and a familiar one. She has hired Raemon Sluiter who most recently guided Elina Svitolina back to some of her best form post pregnancy. But for Sakkari, it was also about appreciating parts of her life she couldn't while being at the top.

"I had the time, I wasn't under pressure," Sakkari said. "I was ok watching the WTA Finals and not being there. I was checking the scores every now and then, but I wasn't in front of the TV saying 'Oh my god, why am I not there.'

"I just took advantage of other things. Spending time with my friends for more than two hours in a week. Spend time with my boyfriend or my family for more than three days in a month. Now I feel that I'm recharged for a good amount of years, until I'm done with tennis."

"My first match at the United Cup against Bouzas was a good wake-up call," Sakkari said. "It was a reminder that things will not go as smooth as expected. But I did a good recovery from the injury and I had a good pre-season. I like the team I have right now. They're good people and we're really getting along. But players told me it would take time and I'm giving myself that time.

"But one thing I know for sure is that I'm a lot happier now even though my ranking has dropped than when I was before, when I was always trying to stay in the Top 10. I feel that break was a very good thing for me. At some point, you have to take a break. The older you get, the more experience you have and the more clearly you see things."

Also she reflected on Madison Keys who recently won the Australian Open and her early days playing with her. Both are 29 and both are at different trajectories of their career but the Greek will aim to emulate and not just fade away.

"I remember it was my first day at the academy and I was getting chopped by her," Sakkari said. "She was always very good. That's why she spoke about everyone having expectations and everyone wanting her to win. She was special."

"She was the star of the academy. I was a nobody. So for me, growing up with her and seeing how she had those tough moments and then having those weeks in Australia, I'm very happy for her and her entire team. It was very inspiring."

Subscribe to our Newsletter

Unlock your ultimate tennis experience—subscribe today for exclusive access to top stories.

Subscribe