"She wants it so badly, it holds her back": Martina Navratilova assesses Maria Sakkari ahead of second chance at WTA Finals
WTASunday, 29 October 2023 at 23:16
Martina
Navratilova opined on Maria Sakkari's opportunity as the first alternate in the
WTA Finals following Karolina Muchova's withdrawal.
World No. 9
is in the WTA Finals for the third consecutive time, boasting a good record of
5-3, having reached the semifinals on both occasions. Maria Sakkari had an
uneven 2023 season and was on the verge of falling out of the top-10, but a
strong late-year surge allowed her to win the WTA 1000 Guadalajara Open and
close out the year on a better note.
After the
withdrawal of the 2023 French Open finalist, Karolina Muchova, Sakkari entered
the tournament as the first alternate, making a last-minute entry into the
Finals in Cancun.
Former
world No. 1 Martina Navratilova commented on Sakkari's chances in the
tournament despite a challenging year:
“With
Muchova pulling out, I think Maria will be thrilled that she’s in. She was
probably down in the dumps -- her only hope was somebody pulling out, and
that’s exactly what happened. And now, you’re playing with house money, so
pressure’s off in a way. And any time with house money, it’s a second chance.
For me, what I see is that she wants it so badly it holds her back,” 18-times
Grand Slam champion said.
“Maria
likes Mexico; she just won the Guadalajara 1000. And it’s her third straight
year in the Finals. Last year she won all three round-robin matches to get to
the semifinals. This is a massive windfall emotionally and financially. This
can really salvage a season and give you a nice springboard for next season,”
Martina Navratilova added.
Sakkari is
in the same group as Aryna Sabalenka (1st), Elena Rybakina (4th), and Jessica
Pegula (5th). The Greek player will make her debut against the Belarusian, and
she has the opportunity to defend the points from the 2022 Finals, where she
won all three round-robin matches but suffered a loss in the semifinals against
the eventual champion, Caroline Garcia.
Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist
Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.
His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.
In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.
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