28 August 2023 , 23:43
801
0
Maria Sakkari cried during her post-match press conference on Monday after being knocked out of the US Open by Rebeka Masarova.
The world No. 8 lost in straight sets to the 24-year-old in one of the biggest shocks of the first round, and broke down when speaking to reporters. The Greek international reached the semifinals of the US Open back in 2021 but has struggled to mount a serious run in a tournament ever since.
Sakkari lost 6-4, 6-4, and it's the third major in 2023 that she's fallen at the first hurdle. Sakkari's year started off OK with a third-round appearance at the Australian Open, but she's lost confidence ever since and is now even considering a break from the sport.
The 28-year-old was once ranked No. 3 in the world but now feels apprehensive ahead of major matches. "Definitely the two previous defeats played a role, I was very nervous. I don't know what I'm going to do, I really don't know, it's always the same," Sakkari said with tears in her eyes.
"Maybe I should take a break, I'm suffering on the court. I can't make a decision now, it's hard. I don't have a clear mind." Sakkari also failed to work out where things went wrong for her against Masarova, further showing her confusion for recent performances.
“I was nervous, but I started well. It's not that I was tight, I don't know what's wrong with me," she added. "I was up 4-1, I wasn't playing great, but I did what I had to do.
Novak Djokovic won Australian Open despite playing with major hamstring tear
"I continued to have anxiety, but it's not like I lost my mind. I cannot explain it. It's very unpleasant for me." The effects of the performance saw Sakkari lash out, shouting at her team to leave the court as the match got away from her.
Sakkari cried during her press conference after breaking down her defeatIt didn't help as Masarova went on to win, and it led to even more embarrassment for the 28-year-old. "I was ashamed to be seen like that. I was embarrassed, it was also my sister's birthday. I felt bad, I feel like I'm embarrassing them.
"They didn't do anything to me, they were perfect." Sakkari hired a new coach in 2023, parting ways with Mark Petchey for Mark Philippoussis.
Her coach once made it to the final of the US Open in 1998 and also Wimbledon three years later, but finished as runner-up on both occasions. It's not been the change that Sakkari was hoping for, and she has a big decision to make ahead of 2024.