"We've been clever with scheduling and rest" says Maria Sakkari on reason for career year

The Greek tennis player has played very consistent tennis this season scoring numerous wins and solid placings at events. Consistency has always been an issue for Sakkari who oftentimes failed to win several matches in a row. This year she was one point away from beating Barbora Krejcikova at the French Open which would have been her maiden final one.

When asked what worked so well for her in 2021 she said:

“I think we’ve been very clever with scheduling and rest. Tom has been giving me a lot of days off during this year. Probably he could see more than I could that it was going to be a long season. He was prepared and ready for that. It’s very good that we have that communication. He lets me rest for three or four days after tournaments. He doesn’t get me back on court after a couple of days maybe like other players do."

Sakkari explained that she was a player that did not enjoy taking long rests:

“I used to be a player who, if I took an extra day off, would think: ‘Oh no, I’m going to lose my timing, lose my momentum.’ But as I get a little bit older and more mature, I’m realising what’s good for me, what’s good for my body and my mentality. Having the right people around me made me realise that the things they are saying and the things we are trying to achieve wouldn’t be possible without a good schedule."

Sakkari is currently on the way to secure a place in Gudalajara as she is 5th in the Porsche WTA race.