Sakkari prepared to channel Spartan spirit to charge through Australian Open

·

Maria Sakkari is one of Greece’s, and the world’s, most exciting upcoming tennis players. Beating tennis greats like Serena Williams and Elina Svitolina, Sakkari gives endless credit to her mother and father’s constant motivation.

“In Sparta, individuals develop up with that mentality, they know tips on how to survive, they know tips on how to struggle for every little thing. It’s in my blood, I’m gonna take it with me all over the place I am going,” Sakkari said to Telegraph Sport.

Sakkari said channeling her Spartan heritage, the fighting mindset she learned from her father, has helped her reach a higher level.

“I labored rather a lot on my mentality with Tom and with a specialist, and then I beat all these gamers again to again. I noticed that I additionally belong there due to my outcomes and I simply gained confidence. I have never misplaced it but.“

The 25-year-old has gone one better than her mother, Angeliki Kanellopoulou, who reached a high of world 43 in the 1980s. Though, the Greek tennis player says her and her mother are on different levels.

“My mum says that we’re completely completely different gamers,” she insists.

Though her mother is a source of advice on tactics and mentality now, Sakkari’s career in tennis grew organically, away from any family pressure. Growing up in Athens, she was not a particularly standout young talent on the ITF junior scene, but a move to Spain aged 18 shifted her focus entirely to tennis and saw her break into the WTA’s top 100 two years later.

Since then she has become known for her athletic game and speed on the court – and on the track where she has run a 12.50secs 100m personal best.

Along with compatriot Stefanos Tsitsipas, she is bringing tennis to the forefront of Greece’s sporting culture too. Last year she was named the national sportswoman of the year and getting mainstream attention – including gracing magazine covers: “Now individuals acknowledge me all over the place I am going, it isn’t the identical as earlier than when tennis was not on tv.”

Sakkari faces Angelique Kerber today in the quarter finals of the Grampians Trophy.

Australian Open draw

The Australian Open draw and player seeds was released to the public yesterday, with Maria Sakkari placing in seed 20. See below for the best round one matchups:

Men’s Singles

Novak Djokovic v Jeremy Chardy

Grigor Dimitrov v Marin Cilic

Kei Nishikori v Pablo Carreno Busta

Denis Shapovalov v Jannik Sinner

Stefanos Tstitsipas v Gilles Simon

Kevin Anderson v Matteo Berrettini

Tennys Sandgren v Alex de Minaur

Women’s Singles

Yulia Putinseva v Sloane Stephens

Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova v Naomi Osaka

Serena Williams v Laura Siegemund

Svetlana Kuznetsova v Barbora Strycova

Elise Mertens v Leylah Fernandez

Jelena Ostapenk v Karolina Muchova

Venus Williams v Kirsten Flipkens

Cretan Convention - Web Banner

Advertisement

Share:

KEEP UP TO DATE WITH TGH

By subscribing you accept our Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.

Advertisement

Latest News

From Metallica to Maritime: The many lives of Greek shipping tycoon Harry Vafias

Though Greek shipping tycoon, Harry Vafias, spends much time working, it certainly isn't a case of 'all work and no play.’

‘I want them to know their word matters’: Peter Georgiou stands against gender violence

Peter Georgiou, a real estate agent from Rushcutters Bay and father of four-year-old twins Leila and Lola, believes change begins at home.

Thessaloniki’s Byzantine walls to shine with new light project

Thessaloniki’s iconic Byzantine Walls are set to be illuminated under a major cultural initiative announced by the Greek Ministry of Culture.

Greek World Heritage Cities face rising climate threats

Iconic Greek cities—Athens, Thessaloniki, Corfu, Rhodes, and Patmos—face serious climate threats, according to a new UNESCO-backed report.

Are apps like Duolingo enough to learn Greek, or do we need a tutor?

For many people who want to learn conversational Greek, an app, can be a very useful addition to your program.

You May Also Like

Mass exodus from Santorini as earthquake swarm continues

Thousands of residents and tourists are fleeing Santorini as persistent seismic activity continues to rattle the popular Greek island.

Greek Community of Canberra President John Loukadellis meets with ACT Minister

President of the Greek Community of Canberra John Loukadellis met with ACT Minister for Multicultural Affairs, Michael Pettersson MLA.

Screenwriter Katerina Bei takes us behind the scenes of Kazantzidis biopic ‘I Exist’

New film, “I Exist” (Υπάρχω) bridges generations through the history and music of Stelios Kazantzidis. Read our interview with Katerina Bei.