Former World No. 3 Maria Sakkari endured a woeful 2024 season, plagued by injury and setbacks. With the Australian Open looming, can the ‘SakkAttack’ mount a comeback and turn 2025 into a season of redemption?
Just How Bad Was 2024 for the Greek Ace?
By any measure, 2024 was a season to forget for Sakkari. Her Australian Open 2024 schedule set the tone as she bowed out in the second round to a player ranked outside the world’s top 50. Her struggles continued at Roland Garros, where she suffered a shock first-round defeat to Varvara Gracheva.
Wimbledon offered a glimmer of hope as she reached the third round, only to be dismissed by Emma Raducanu. But the US Open delivered the harshest blow: forced to retire after losing the first set 6-2 in the opening round, her season ended prematurely due to a significant injury.
Oddly enough, Sakkari enjoyed her few bright moments on American soil. She reached the final at Indian Wells, falling to the irrepressible Iga Swiatek, and followed up with semi-final and quarter-final runs in Miami and Charleston. Yet, these performances were bittersweet, overshadowed by her inability to compete consistently.
A Stuttering Start to 2025
So, how has 2025 unfolded for Sakkari? In a word: tentatively.
Now ranked in the 30s, Sakkari finds herself battling through qualifiers just to gain entry into main draws. The 29-year-old kicked off her season at the Adelaide International, overcoming Zheng Saisai 6-2, 4-0 before her opponent retired. One more victory would have secured her spot in the main draw.
That decisive match turned into a marathon clash with Peyton Stearns. Sakkari won the first set 6-4, only to lose the second in a tense tiebreak. The gruelling three-hour encounter left little time for proper preparation for the Australian Open.
To add insult to injury, Stearns is coached by Tom Hill—Sakkari’s former confidant and long-time coach. More on that drama shortly.
Despite the disappointment, fortune smiled on Sakkari. A stroke of luck saw her enter the Australian Open as a ‘lucky loser’ after withdrawals and scheduling quirks opened up a spot. Her first-round opponent? Linda Nosková, a rising Czech star who not only holds a lower ranking but also captured a title last season—something Sakkari failed to achieve in her dismal 2024 campaign.
Maybe a new pair of tennis shoes, or a premium tennis racket could help her get going on the hard court swing.
Did Tom Hill’s Exit Leave a Void?
One of the most pivotal moments of Sakkari’s 2024 season came with her decision to part ways with British coach Tom Hill after six years of collaboration. While their partnership produced some memorable runs, it ultimately lacked the tangible reward of silverware, prompting the Greek star to seek change.
David Witt was brought in as Hill’s successor but was dismissed after a brief and uninspiring three-month stint. By mid-2024, Sakkari turned to Spaniard Sergi Bruguera. Yet, given her shaky start to 2025, questions already hang over his future. Can Bruguera steady the ship, or will Sakkari come full circle and dial up Hill for a potential reunion?
Can Sakkari Reignite Her Career?
Maria Sakkari is no stranger to adversity, but 2025 presents a critical juncture. Injuries, coaching instability, and a slide down the rankings have all tested her resolve. If she can summon the tenacity that once made her a top-three player, this could still be the year the SakkAttack reignites.
It seems unlikely she’ll want to jack it all in for a job at the tennis warehouse. Although, starting her own would be call, ‘Sakkari Tennis’ would be a great addition to the Athens shopping district.
Only time—and perhaps a little luck—will tell.
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