After being beaten by Rebeka Masarova at the US Open on Monday, Maria Sakkari broke down in tears at her post-match press conference.
One of the biggest upsets of the first round was the world No. 8 losing to Masarova in straight sets, and she broke down in front of the media.
Sakkari fell short in the opening round of the third major in 2023, losing 6-4, 6-4. Sakkari’s year started to a decent start with a third-round showing at the Australian Open, but ever since she’s lost confidence and is now even thinking about taking a break from the sport.
Sakkari shared her thoughts about her game after the match: “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.”
She further added: “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. I was nervous, but I started well. It’s not that I was tight, I don’t know what’s wrong with me.”
Maria Sakkari in 2023
Currently ranked no.8, the Greek played her last match on the 28th of August when she capitulated to world no.71 Rebeka Masarova 6-4 6-4 in the 1st round of the U.S. Open (draw).
Until now, during this year Sakkari owns an overall 28-18 win-loss record. Maria Sakkari’s most significant result of this year was reaching the final in Washington.