Sakkari's ranking downfall: descent from top 10 tennis elite with uncertain path back

From a staple of the top 10 for many a year to likely not even being in the top 30 by the end of the season, Maria Sakkari's downfall has been stark and a lot of work is ahead to return to her highest heights.

Sakkari currently sits 17th on the Official WTA Rankings dropping eight spots compared to last week. But on the live rankings, she currently sits 22nd and will continue to drop.

Karolina Muchova for instance who plays in today's China Open final has risen 19 spots already this week ahead of the next WTA Rankings Update and is now back into the top 30. But Sakkari on the otherhand has barely played since the US Open with a shoulder injury and since her good form earlier in the year has gone the opposite way.

After ditching coach Tom Hill who had long been by her side in her rise up to World No.3, she decided to join up with David Witt who immediately had her in the final of Indian Wells and reaching at least the Quarter-Finals in the next few tournaments. But she dispensed with his services after Roland Garros suddenly.

He has since gone on to achieve success with Frances Tiafoe. Sakkari added Sergi Bruguera to her team back in July who is a former coach of Alexander Zverev. But they have barely worked together at least in terms of official matches. She last played back at the US Open giving a walkover to Yafan Wang as ninth seed as the slide began. She suffered a shoulder injury around the Olympic Games and is yet to recover.

Having to play the US Open for her ranking, she has not played since. In particular multiple big tournaments for her ranking have came off already including Guadalajara. She also has not played Beijing or Wuhan, both WTA 1000's.

Last season, Sakkari was an alternate who got into the WTA Finals late on. She is not even in the top 30 this year to qualify showing the season that she has had. Going back to Muchova, she is in the top 30 having started her season in June. But unlike the Czech ace, the way back is a bit more murky for Sakkari.

She likely won't play for the rest of the season now with United Cup and then Australian Open warm-ups giving her time to recoup during the off season from injury. Some soul searching seemingly is needed for a player who has gone from being one of the most consistent top 10 stars to dropping like a stone in terms of ranking.

It is also easier said than done given that Sakkari herself has long had issues winning titles so while others could win a few smaller events to hoist themselves back up, the Greek may have to rely on a few runs or a Grand Slam revival early next year to get back. An intriguing path back awaits but how will she navigate it?