"It's not like I was going on the court to tank the match, I didn't want to be there": Sakkari opens up on mental struggles during 2022 season

Maria Sakkari had a really poor 2022 season and she recently opened up about her struggles admitting that she didn't want to be near a tennis court.

Last year wasn't all terrible for Sakkari as there were some decent moments but for much of the year the Greek players underperformed. She didn't look very happy on the court and she recently revealed that she truly wasn't thinking about how she could get away from a tennis court. That was very unlike her:

"Yeah. I mean, last year there were a couple of weeks, maybe more. One of them was San Jose, I just couldn't be on the court. I wanted, but I couldn't. It's not like I was going on the court to tank the match. I didn't want to be there. It's just I couldn't. Madrid I was also struggling big time. I mean, there were a few, yes, and I'm a human being. I think I'm allowed also to have those weeks."

She's going to play a very good Karolina Pliskova in the next round of Indian Wells and a tough matchup is expected:

"Well, I think it's going to be tough. Obviously we played in Dubai, which is a horrible court for my game, and very good for her. It's going to be tough. If it's warm, because the ball flies and the ball, you know, flies through the air actually very fast."

And added:

"But, you know, from now on, like even in the first rounds like against Shelby, you cannot expect an easy match. Especially against someone like Pliskova, she's serving big, and she likes, you know, to hit the ball hard, I have to for sure reduce my unforced errors. That won't be accepted against her."