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Maria Sakkari has made a radical transfer after shedding within the Berlin first spherical and selecting up her third consecutive defeat because the world No. 9 is ending her partnership with coach David Witt that began simply in March.
After shedding to Victoria Azarenka within the Rome round-of-16, Sakkari very disappointingly picked up a French Open first-round exit and continued her adverse streak at Grand Slams. On Tuesday, the 28-year-old Greek returned to motion nevertheless it did not go properly as she acquired bounced 4-6 2-6 by Azarenka within the Berlin first spherical.
And after her newest defeat, Sakkari seemingly felt that she wanted shock remedy and determined to finish issues with coach Witt, in keeping with Vicky Georgatou of SDNA.
Sure, he isn’t working with Maria anymore. https://t.co/Ou3QnHGrMf
— Vicky Georgatou (@VGeorgatou) June 19, 2024
The information of Sakkari splitting with Witt comes simply days after the previous world No. 3 mentioned that she changed earlier coach Tom Hill with Witt as a result of she felt that the outdated coach could not assist her anymore and that she wanted a brand new however the best voice to assist her obtain her greatest tennis goals. Up to now, Witt labored with Venus Williams for 11 years earlier than his five-year stint with Jessica Pegula.
“The coach is essential. There’s at all times room for enchancment, even in case you are No. 1. I’ve reached No. 3 and now I am No. 6, I wish to attain the highest although,” Sakkari instructed SDNA simply a few days in the past.
“And to do this I have to have the best individual by my aspect. I felt that my earlier coach couldn’t assist me anymore, we stopped our cooperation very amicably. The boundaries had been misplaced somewhat as a result of we had change into excellent mates. I wanted somebody extra skilled subsequent to me.”
In her current interview, nothing in Sakkari’s feedback indicated that she was fascinated with changing Witt.
What Sakkari mentioned at Roland Garros about changing Hill with Witt?
With Hill, Sakkari turned and established herself as among the best gamers within the recreation as throughout their six-year stint, the Greek gained a WTA 1000 title – made two Grand Slam semifinals – 3 times reached the WTA Finals – and likewise achieved a career-high rating of No. 3 on the earth. On paper, these have been nice outcomes and Hill did a rare job of constructing the Greek among the best within the recreation.
However within the final two years, the sensation was that Sakkari’s enchancment stalled and that she wasn’t making any vital enchancment. And though the Greek tennis star was in a position to keep contained in the top-10 for almost all of the time, she simply wasn’t a contender in Grand Slams or an actual menace for the world No. 1 spot.
All of that led to Sakkari making a tough determination to separate with Hill in February. Across the time Sakkari cut up with Hill, Pegula additionally determined that she and Witt ought to go their separate methods. Since Witt had a wealthy resume, Sakkari grabbed the chance to rent him.
Earlier than the beginning of this yr’s French Open, Sakkari referred to as Hill “a brother” however admitted that they reached the purpose the place she felt she could not enhance her recreation anymore.
“It’s by no means straightforward when it’s important to take that call. I simply felt like we couldn’t assist one another anymore, and that’s what I instructed him. We had a really good chat in Doha. I feel we may each see that we couldn’t proceed collectively, we couldn’t get good outcomes anymore, from working the 2 of us, for now,” Sakkari mentioned of her cut up with Hill at Roland Garros.
“We completed on good phrases and Tom will at all times be like a brother to me. I’m blissful he will get to be again on the tour (teaching Peyton Stearns). I’ll at all times be there for him, it doesn’t matter what. I simply felt like I wanted one thing completely different, which I discovered now with David.”
Sakkari had solely phrases of reward for coach Witt simply three weeks in the past
Simply three weeks in the past, Sakkari was filled with reward for coach Witt, describing him as “a really relaxed and laid-back individual.” Since Sakkari can get too emotional on the court docket and at instances get very harassed, she felt that having an individual like Witt may additionally assist her within the emotional half as properly.
“It was straightforward. It was truly good to listen to another person. Nothing private towards Tom, in fact, it was simply good to have a distinct voice. David may be very skilled, very mature, he’s been on the tour for therefore a few years and he’s labored with two excellent gamers,” Sakkari mentioned in Paris.
“[It’s great] with the ability to have an individual that skilled in my staff, and really laid-back and simply relaxed. As a result of my character may be very Mediterranean, I get harassed, I get emotional, however since I’ve been working with David, loads of issues have modified in me. I don’t really feel any stress from the field, which is nice.”
Sakkari gave the impression to be proud of Witt however now she is once more able the place she must discover a new coach.
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