Maria
Sakkari suffered a surprising defeat in the first round against Rebeka
Masarova, marking her fourth consecutive loss in Grand Slams.
The Greek
player entered as the 8th seed but once again experienced a disappointing
first-round loss. Her opponent was the Spanish world No. 71, Rebeka Masarova,
who has experienced a significant rise this year, entering the top 100 for the
first time earlier in the year.
Sakkari
explained her feelings during the match and expressed her disappointment when
speaking to her country's network SDNA:
"Maybe,
I need to take a break. I am suffering on the court but I can't make a decision
right now. My mind isn't clear and it's difficult," Sakkari said.
“I was
nervous, but I started well. It's not that I was tight, I don't know what's
wrong with me. I was up 4-1, I wasn't playing great, but I did what I had to
do. I continued to have anxiety, but it's not like I lost my mind. I can not
explain it. It's very unpleasant for me," she added.
“I am
constantly trying to improve myself, in different ways. Maybe I need more time
to get to where I want to be. I don't leave it to him and that's why I'm upset.
I really feel like I'm making a lot of effort, especially in the psychological
part. It's not just sitting and waiting to get better. I'm really working on it
and I'm sure I've chosen the right person. I guess I need time."
“It's not a
lack of effort, for sure. I don't know, there is uncertainty now, I don't know
what I will do. If I'm going to take a break or not," she concluded.
The Greek
player is currently ranked world No. 8, although this week's results could
potentially cause her ranking to drop. Sakkari will return to tournaments at
the WTA 500 San Diego Open.
