THE CHAMPIONSHIPS

June 28, 2022

Maria Sakkari

Press Conference

M. SAKKARI/Z. Hives

6-1, 6-4

THE MODERATOR: Maria, just to start, straight-sets win today. How were you feeling out there?

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, feeling very good. Obviously I had the chance to close out the match sooner than I did, but overall I think was a very solid performance. I'm very happy to be again in the second round here.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. How do you adjust your game? Maybe you don't at all. It seems similar when you're playing on hard courts, clay, and grass. Do you make any changes?

MARIA SAKKARI: You said, sorry, that it looks similar?

Q. It looks very similar.

MARIA SAKKARI: I wouldn't say so. Like, I believe that on the clay especially I try to play with more height, try to use more my forehand. On fast surfaces like grass or fast hard court, I always try to be more aggressive, obviously trying to hit hard with both of my shots.

Tennis is becoming a very quick sport right now, so you have to be aggressive. That's what I'm trying to do every time I play a match, no matter what surface I'm playing.

Q. Wimbledon is the only Grand Slam where you haven't reached the fourth round. How much does that play in your mind? Does that give you any more motivation this year?

MARIA SAKKARI: Sorry. Can you repeat the last bit of the question.

Q. Are you more motivated to reach the fourth round?

MARIA SAKKARI: I think Wimbledon is Wimbledon. It's probably one of most special, if not the most special, tournament of the year. There's something very unique about it. I'm very motivated only by being here. It's always an honor, no matter what ranking you have, being here. It's a great reward for what I have achieved.

I'm very motivated, yes.

Q. Matteo Berrettini has pulled out with COVID today, just this morning. Marin Cilic did yesterday. Are you concerned about the fact that Wimbledon doesn't have any COVID guidelines, nor does the UK? Is that something you're concerned about? Are you yourself taking any precautions to try to avoid catching COVID?

MARIA SAKKARI: I'm pretty sure I had COVID, so I'm less afraid than I used to be. I never tested positive, but I had symptoms. Not that I was spreading COVID around. I never meant that. But it was a time where I was sick and I was by myself.

We have to get back to a normal life again. It's very unfortunate that a couple of players had COVID and they had to pull out. At the same time it's bad luck, I have to say, they got it right now for this very special tournament.

Eventually we're all going to get it at some point. I believe it's just, even if you get food poison, you won't be able to play. There are certain things that won't allow you to play a tennis match, and COVID is one of them.

Q. You mentioned closing out today, not managing to do that the first time. Tell me about the nerves that you're feeling in that moment. Is it nerves that causes that? How are they different to when you walk out onto the court at the beginning of a match?

MARIA SAKKARI: First round in a Grand Slam always has a lot of nerves, no matter who you play. I think I managed it really well, especially on that first set. I believe I had not too many unforced errors. For me, that was a very important thing just to get myself in a good rhythm.

I never felt the stress that I won't be able to close out the match in two sets. It was I had to stay a little bit more focused and more in the present to just close it out sooner.

But eventually when I got that second chance, which was on 5-4, I just took it and closed out the match.

Q. You talked about being aggressive. Does that include trying to come to net more? I know you obviously have a very big serve. Do you ever think about following it to the net? A lot of players have done well here serving and volleying.

MARIA SAKKARI: I just wouldn't do it out of nowhere because I haven't practiced serve and volleys a lot.

Yes, I mean, Tom always tells me that our goal is to approach the net 20 times in a match. Not serve and volley 20 times, just get to the net 20 times. Whether I can do it or not, that's the goal. That's what gets me into a more aggressive mindset.

I believe this year that's one of the reasons why I've been playing good, because my mindset has changed and my whole game style has changed and improved.

Q. We're a few hours away from Serena making her first return in a full year. What are your feelings about having her return to the sport?

MARIA SAKKARI: I think it's great that we have her back. It's great for women's tennis. Serena is Serena. I don't have to say much about her because for me she's the best female athlete - not tennis player - athlete in the Open Era. What she has achieved is enormous. I have a lot of respect for her.

Even though she's not at her best right now, I mean, winning Grand Slams back to back, I still believe that that's one of my biggest wins.

It's just very exciting to have her back. She's a great role model for all of us. She's just very special and unique. So I'm looking forward to see her playing again.