In the recently premiered Netflix series Breaking Point, Maria Sakkari admitted to retiring from tennis for four years after missing the French Open.
Sakkari’s greatest chance of winning a Grand Slam came in 2021 when Barbora Krejcikova defeated her. A Czech player eventually won the event. This is her only Grand Slam singles trophy ever. Sakkari had the advantage in that match and had a good chance of winning as he had match points.
Speaking to Breaking Point, Sakkari said:
“I saw a goal and struggled, but I didn’t win. My heart went too far and I couldn’t close it. did not.”
Sakkari was in a very bad place mentally after basically four days out of the sport.
“I didn’t know how to handle the situation. I couldn’t sleep for three days. I was lying on the bed trying to sleep, but I felt so nervous and sad. I told my coach I wanted to retire from tennis, I retired for four days, I was on a Greek island and was like, ‘Okay, when can I start practicing again? It’s something.”
She is now fully focused on the sport, hoping to one day win a Grand Slam.
