Maria Sakkari Seeks Redemption at Indian Wells Amid Career Challenges

INDIAN WELLS, California — Maria Sakkari, Greece‘s premier tennis player, faces a pivotal moment in her career as she gears up for her next match at the BNP Paribas Open. After a promising rise to the top ranks in recent years, Sakkari, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, is now battling to maintain her position within the top 32, following a string of injuries and recent poor performance.

Despite her struggles this year, with a record of 4-8, Sakkari remains optimistic as she prepares for her showdown against Coco Gauff. “There’s something special when I come here that just feels so good and I just feel that I don’t want to lose,” Sakkari said after her commanding 6-0, 6-3 victory over Viktoriya Tomova on Saturday.

The BNP Paribas Open has been a venue of familiarity where Sakkari has excelled in the past, contrasting sharply with the difficulties she’s recently experienced. Many attribute her turbulent performance to a series of mental and physical challenges that reached a boiling point last year when she missed the opportunity to carry Greece’s flag at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

“My biggest dream of my life,” Sakkari expressed about the Olympic honor that she was initially chosen for but later rescinded by Greece’s Olympic committee. Their decision was ultimately influenced by factors Sakkari felt were beyond her control, including her public image tied to her personal life.

As the committee chose racewalker Antigoni Drisbioti to replace her as flag bearer, Sakkari recounted, “It left me so distraught that my body fell apart.” The aftermath of this event saw her suffer an injury during competition, limiting her participation and adding to her stress.

Sakkari’s competitive spirit remains resilient. With support from her mother, Angeliki Kanellopoulou, a former professional tennis player, she is working through her adversities. “My mother has reassured me that I can return to where I was,” Sakkari said. Kanellopoulou has traveled with her to various tournaments, including Doha and Dubai, providing emotional support despite difficult outcomes.

In her efforts to regain her footing on the tour, Sakkari has added a new coach to her team, Raemon Sluiter, renowned for facilitating players’ confidence. “We’re working on helping her rely on herself on the court a bit more because she has every reason to do so,” Sluiter noted, encouraging Sakkari to self-assess her play during practice.

As Sakkari prepares to face Gauff, who is newly crowned as a Grand Slam champion, the two share a unique bond forged by their experiences as flag bearers in the Olympics and their respective journeys in the sport. Sakkari defeated Gauff in their last encounter, demonstrating that the challenge ahead is not insurmountable.

Sakkari remains hopeful as she emphasizes the importance of the upcoming matches at Indian Wells. “I feel more motivated than ever,” she said. “This tournament comes at the perfect time to rekindle my past successes and recharge my spirit.” With the California desert as her backdrop, Sakkari aims to transcend her recent hurdles, reigniting a career that once sparkled with potential.