Maria Sakkari makes deeply honest career admission

Maria Sakkari admitted she as soon as thought she “by no means thought” she can be this good however her willingness to maintain working laborious paid off and led to her being thought of probably the greatest within the sport. Sakkari, who’s 28 years previous, loved her breakthrough season in 2021.

That yr, Sakkari reached her first Grand Slam semifinals on the French Open and US Open. Additionally, Sakkari broke into the top-10 for the primary time in her profession after the 2021 US Open. Sakkari, now ranked at No 9 on the planet, additionally has a WTA 1000 title in her assortment and she or he was additionally ranked as excessive as No 3 on the planet.

“You all the time should dream massive. It’s important to comply with your desires. It’s important to imagine in your self. Work laborious. Simply by no means surrender as a result of nice issues can occur. My breakthrough got here very late in my profession. I by no means thought I used to be gonna be pretty much as good as I’m immediately.

However as a result of I saved working and placing within the hours, it acquired me to a degree the place I’m thought of probably the greatest gamers proper now. For me, meaning it’s a must to comply with your desires. It’s important to maintain believing in your self.

Encompass your self with individuals who imagine in you. Encompass your self with good folks,” Sakkari mentioned on TV Azteca Deportes.

Sakkari did not stop after the US Open and it paid off

Sakkari was part of some of the memorable and galvanizing moments on the WTA Tour in 2023.

After breaking down in tears following a US Open first spherical and considering a break from tennis as a result of she was so disillusioned, Sakkari in the end determined to maintain going. Three weeks later, Sakkari ended up lifting her first WTA 1000 title in Guadalajara.

Sakkari bouncing again in such a manner was fairly inspiring because the Greek went from one of many lowest factors of her profession to profitable the most important title of her profession. Now, Sakkari is making ready for the 2024 season, which she’s going to begin on the United Cup with Greece.