"She deserves a medal": Maria Sakkari lauded for Olympic glory by Danka Kovinic after brutal thrashing

Maria Sakkari hasn't had the best time of it in winning first rounds at big tournaments but now working with Sergi Bruguera, the first tournament saw a thumping win to start. She began her Olympic Games campaign by easing past Danka Kovinic 6-0, 6-1.

But for the Montenegrin, it was a shock to even be on the court no mind to be a flag bearer also after surgery. She lauded her good friend and said that she deserves a medal and hopes she now bring it home for Greece.

At least in defeat, Kovinic was brutally honest about her opponent deserving it. Sakkari now faces Yue Yuan for a spot in the third round. “I’m really proud to be back on court,” said Kovinic. “I was close to having surgery. I’m back here, not at 100% as you could see, but you know... I have to start somewhere.

“I didn’t want to miss the opportunity to represent my country at the Olympic Games. Because it's such an honour and something that we are fighting for, you know, dreaming of.”

“We are good friends, she’s a great girl, has great sportsmanship,” said Kovinic. “I told her she deserves a medal and she should go for it.”

While for Sakkari, it is more than just a tournament. it is about completing a childhood dream and one that is embedded in her sporting psyche.

“Greece is the birth of the Olympics so for us, representing our country, you know, in this event is just something very special,” said Sakkari.

“We all want to go all the way and see ourselves with a medal. But that's, you know, that's very far in the future, and that’s something I can’t think about right now.”

“I have great memories [of Athens 2004],” she added.. “I went to a lot of tennis matches. In the final of the men, I was with my dad and brother in the crowd with all the Chileans. It was pretty intense, but a very nice experience.”