Maria Sakkari admits there wer moments throughout the season when she was “panicking” and not really knowing what to do. After clinching several notable results early in the season, Sakkari reached a career-high ranking of No 3 in March.
Then between April and September, Sakkari experienced a big drop in form and was mostly exiting tournaments very early. Sakkari, who has been working with coach Tom Hill since 2018, admits now she is glad she didn’t make any radical decisions.
“Of course, there were moments in the season I was panicking, I didn’t know what to do. But the most important thing for me was that I had the same people and the people I trust next to me. I think in my case, if I was just to do random changes around me, it would be a mistake for me.
For me, trusting everyone next to me was the key. It’s something that I’m very thankful and grateful for. I think that’s what helped me get over this tough period I had,” Sakkari said, per the WTA website.
Sakkari has started playing better
In October, Sakkari made two finals – in Parma and Guadalajara.
In both finals, Sakkari ended on the losing side. However, those two finals helped Sakkari clinch one of the final WTA Finals spots. The 2022 season hasn’t been ideal for Sakkari but she feels she deserves to be at the WTA Finals.
“I believed that I was going to find my rhythm again after having that blip this season. So I believe personally, and I think that that’s what everyone around me has the same way of thinking, that when you have the level you’re going to find it again.
My time came in Mexico. I just played a very good tournament. Already I was nearly there. It wasn’t like I was far back from the last spot. I was just two spots away from that. I believe I deserved it, and I deserve to be here.
It was just a strange year that it can happen to everyone.” Sakkari was placed in the group with Ons Jabeur, Jessica Pegula, and Aryna Sabalenka.
