WATCH: Maria Sakkari breaks down in the press conference as she sobs inconsolably after her HUMILIATING first round exit at the US Open

The former World No. 3 lost to Spain's Rebeka Masarova in straight sets.

WATCH: Maria Sakkari breaks down in the press conference as she sobs inconsolably after her HUMILIATING first round exit at the US Open

Maria Sakkari (Image via US Open/YouTube)

World No. 8 Maria Sakkari‘s loss in the opening round of the US Open 2023 came as a shock to many. The Greek too was crushed as she broke down in tears at a press conference post-match after losing to Spain’s Rebeka Masarova.

Her loss on Monday marks Sakkari’s third consecutive first-round loss at a Grand Slam event. Masarova ranked No. 71, managed to seed the Greek out in an 87-minute encounter. Sakkari suffered defeat at the hands of the Spaniard, losing in straight sets with a score of 4-6, 4-6.

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As Sakkari’s defeat marks her exit from this year’s title run, she told the media that she’ll consider taking a break from the game in order to rest and rejuvenate. “I don’t know what I’m going to do, I really don’t know… Maybe I should take a break, I’m suffering on the pitch. I can’t make a decision now, it’s hard. I don’t have a clear mind,” she said.

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Sakkari tried bottling down her grief but was unable to hold back and had tears streaming down her face by the end of the press conference. The 28-year-old hasn’t performed well in Grand Slam events since the 2021 US Open, where she lost against the eventual champion, Emma Raducanu, in the semi-final round.

The Greek’s performance on-court recently has been way off her best. She has failed to make it past the first week in the last seven of her Major matches.

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Maria Sakkari to take a break

Maria Sakkari
Maria Sakkari (Via FoxSports)

Sakkari had initially claimed that her primary focus was on winning the opening round match, as she didn’t want to suffer a third consecutive defeat. Unfortunately for the 28-year-old, losing to an underdog yet again has left her too stunned to speak.

“I wouldn’t say I was playing well. If I played at least five or 10 percent better, I would have won that match. These are the matches that I have to win,” Sakkari said while talking to the media post-match. She expressed her dissatisfaction with herself for losing matches consecutively against lower-ranked players. The Greek assured that she hasn’t been lacking in putting effort.” I just feel like my level was and has been poor and I have to do something about it,” she said.

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