Sakkari aims to use conditions as advantage in Olympic Games medal charge: "Heat is the way we grew up playing in Greece"

Eyes were on recent first time Grand Slam semi-finalist, Maria Sakkari as she faced off against Anett Kontaveit in one of the ties of the opening night at the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

But the Greek World No.19 thrived in conditions that were lamented by players such as Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.

Winning through 7-5, 6-2, she was actually pleased with the conditions and hopes to use them to her advantage in a medal charge.

“I think it was probably the toughest first round I could get,” said Sakkari.

“Anett is an exceptional player. We’ve played each other so many times. It was very tough when I saw the draw that I’m playing her in the first round but I think I managed to play really well after the 5-2. I made a lot of balls and it went well in the end. I actually like these conditions."

“It’s great to play in these conditions,” she continued. “I grew up playing in the heat. Maybe not that humid, but heat is the way we grew up playing in Greece and I actually embrace that.

“It’s normal [that players react differently], if you put me in minus 20 degrees I would also struggle. It’s different conditions for everyone. [Kontaveit] is from the north of Europe and it’s normal [that she would feel the heat more]. I have to say. Many players will struggle with the heat.”