Recently, Maria Sakkari discussed how she used critical online remarks as inspiration to win her second WTA championship at the 2023 Guadalajara Open. Following her first title at the 2019 Morocco Open, Sakkari went through many years without winning another tournament. Since then, she has competed in six finals but has lost all of them, including the finals in Washington and Guadalajara.
Sakkari defeated some strong opponents including Caroline Garcia and Camila Giorgi. After her triumph, Maria Sakkari spoke honestly about how she handled the criticism and negativity on social media and used it as motivation to win in an interview.
Sakkari talked about her loss at the US Open and said: “Because of that picture that went out to the press, a lot of players and people really felt for me. I cannot describe in words the amount of love and support I got. I believe that there are good people out there, and when they see someone who works hard, of course, they want things to go well for other nice people.”
She stated her remarks about Coco Gauff and said: “I really liked what Coco Gauff said at the US Open, about how other people have bigger problems than we have when we lose a tennis match, and she’s spot on. I kept thinking about that, and that gave me strength.”
Sakkari added: “The satisfaction now, I cannot describe it. When you prove all these people wrong, it’s fuel. For me, it worked as fuel. I knew it was going to come, I didn’t know when. Thank you to them. They gave me strength.”
She expressed her thoughts about the hatred and negativity on social media saying: “We live in 2023. Social media is a part of our everyday life. You cannot avoid it. Coco said she knows the user names. I know them, too. I know the person with a YouTube channel who posts all my semifinal losses, all my final losses. I’m aware.”
Maria Sakkari to @WTA_insider:
“I really liked what Coco [Gauff] said at the US Open, about how other people have bigger problems than we have when we lose a tennis match, and she's spot on. I kept thinking about that, and that gave me strength.”https://t.co/3HJEG6Ki6r
— Reem Abulleil (@ReemAbulleil) September 24, 2023
"I play tennis for a living. That's pretty cool. I didn't give myself a chance to enjoy it in the past.
"I told myself, you owe it to yourself to have fun. And this is what happened." 🏆@WTA_insider speaks with Guadalajara champ @mariasakkari after her maiden WTA 1000 title 🗣️
— wta (@WTA) September 24, 2023
Maria Sakkari in 2023
LLWWLWWLLL Ranked no.6, Maria played her last match on the 23rd of September when she defeated world no.42 Caroline Dolehide 7-5 6-3 in the final in Guadalajara to win her 2nd career title.
This season Sakkari owns an overall 34-19 match record. Maria clinched 1 title in Guadalajara. Sakkari reached the final in Washington.
Maria Sakkari |
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