Maria Sakkari recalls how negative comments on not winning titles affected her as she wins her maiden WTA-1000 title in Guadalajara

Sakkari beat Dolehide to claim the 2023 Guadalajara Open title

Maria Sakkari recalls how negative comments on not winning titles affected her as she wins her maiden WTA-1000 title in Guadalajara

Maria Sakkari(Image via: Greek City Times)

World No.9 Maria Sakkari demolished Caroline Dolehide in the 2023 Guadalajara Open AKRON finals, which commenced yesterday. The Greek tennis pro later spoke her heart out in her winning speech as she recalled all the hate and negativity she had received over the past few years.

The 22nd of September marked a big day for Sakkari. She won her second WTA Title after a four-year hiatus. The Greek top seed won her first-ever WTA singles event four years back in Rabat in May 2019. Although the Greek played good tennis and had incredible consistency in her matches thereon, she could not win a single title. Sakkari made it to the finals six times since but lost every single time.

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The 28-year-old defeated American Caroline Dolehide over two sets. To claim the title, she ousted Dolehide with a 7-5, 6-3 victory. In her winning speech later, the Greek thanked her coach. “I want to thank my coach Tom, who’s been with me the last five years. We waited more than four years for a 2nd title,” she said.

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“We’ve heard many bad things like I’ll never win a title. That I’m a top 5 player with only 1 title. That was very hard for me to overcome,” the 28-year-old said, talking about the negativity she received. Sakkari also expressed her happiness in winning in front of the Mexican crowd. Her recent win at Guadalajara came with ease to Sakkari as she could easily sail through the event. She defeated all her opponents and did not drop a single set in all matches.

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Maria Sakkari wins over crowds in Mexico

Sakkari won over the crowds in Mexico after she sported the Football Jersey of Mexico’s national team, once again after her final-round win. She donned the jersey earlier following her win in the quarter-finals at the Guadalajara Open. With this gesture, she has strengthened her bond with the tennis fans in Mexico. The 28-year-old has established a deep connection with the crowds in Mexico, and the fans stood by supporting the player all week. Last year in Guadalajara, the Greek had promised to support Mexico at the FIFA World Cup.

Maria Sakkari
Maria Sakkari (Image via: WION)

Sakkari liked the feeling of wearing the Mexican Football team’s jersey. Sakkari said, “I really love both of them (home and away jerseys).” Moreover, the Greek star hoped that her compatriots back in Greece would not take offense to it. It is a gesture of goodwill when someone wears the jersey of another country’s national team. The Mexican crowd showed support to Sakkari for her beautiful gesture.

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