GUADALAJARA OPEN

October 23, 2022

Maria Sakkari

Press Conference

J. PEGULA/M. Sakkari

6-2, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: Maria, a long day for you, probably not what you were expecting, two matches. How are you physically now?

MARIA SAKKARI: Yeah, it wasn't ideal. Obviously the weather didn't help last night.

Yeah, I was very tired this afternoon. I just didn't have anything in the tank. I just tried. I was sad that I couldn't perform better, but I did my best.

She deserves it. So I'm not taking away anything from her.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. Since you work with your team, I see you been improving your game. I would like to know how do you guys work the process of feedback every time with a win or a loss, how you work to improve in the next game?

MARIA SAKKARI: Of course, we go through the game, even if it's a win or a loss. We analyze it. We see what we can do better next time.

It's pretty much what every team does: just analyze what they did good, what they did bad, what they have to improve, just take it from there.

Q. This week your name was the number one here in Guadalajara. What do you take from this week?

MARIA SAKKARI: A lot of emotions. A lot of love. It was an amazing week. Obviously it didn't end the way I wanted it, but at the same time I achieved things that I wouldn't even imagine before coming here.

I was actually thinking of not playing this tournament, just stopping the season in San Diego. Luckily I came, and it ended up being a very good week.

Q. You're going to be with Mexico in the World Cup?

MARIA SAKKARI: Yes, of course.

Q. I want to ask you about your legacy besides your own achievements. For example, in Mexico we are hoping someday we have a top player again. Do you think when a little girl goes near to you and asks for an autograph, that maybe you could be the motivation? Do you think those kind of things when you attend to the fans?

MARIA SAKKARI: I mean, I think that every professional athlete inspires little kids and people around the world. I believe that this is the least that we can do, this is the least I can do, just to inspire a young girl or a young boy to become like myself.

I hope that I can do that my entire career until I'm done, and maybe even after that. And, of course, seeing a Mexican player in the top of the game again.

Q. You speak about a week with ups and downs. Maybe it didn't end the way you wanted, but you got a ticket for the WTA Finals. How to change the mentality, because in some days this competition is like the fifth Grand Slam?

MARIA SAKKARI: First I need to take a few days off because it's been very tiring the last few days. In order for me to be ready for the Finals, I need to recharge and disconnect for a little bit. I'm glad I'm staying here for one more day just to do something off the court.

It's a very competitive tournament. It's a round-robin, it's different. I just want to try and do things that will distract my mind so I can perform better next week.

Q. This might not be the result you expected, but what is your takeaway in this tournament?

MARIA SAKKARI: As I said previously, a lot of positive things. I mean, the matches I played against Danielle and Kudermetova, even the one yesterday and this morning, they were high-level matches. I feel very proud I can overcome myself especially after not wanting to come here.

I believe especially that match that gave me the ticket to the Finals, it was a special performance. I just overcame my nerves, stress, and a lot of difficult situations in the court.

Q. I don't know if you know, but in Mexico the name Maria, it's very popular, it's important, even related to religion. In Greece is that as important? Do you know why did your parents give you that name?

MARIA SAKKARI: I mean, in Greece it goes always you take your grandparents' names. My grandmother is called Maria. I don't know, this is how it goes. My brother has my grandfather's name, my sister has my other grandmother's name, and I have my mother's mother's name.