After shedding her final three Grand Slam first-round matches, Maria Sakkari is hoping to see a shift in her fortunes in 2024 – in additional methods than one.
The Greek, who snapped that streak when she defeated Nao Hibino, 6-4, 6-1 on Day 1 on the Australian Open, has taken the plunge and adjusted racquets this season. Sakkari now performs with the Wilson Shift, and he or she believes the brand new body helps her get extra out of her forehand.
“It has been some time since I wished to alter racquets,” Sakkari admitted on Sunday in Melbourne. “I spoke to Wilson, and I feel we got here up with an important plan and nice racquet for myself and for my recreation. It has been the right racquet for my recreation. I nonetheless get the spin, however I get numerous energy and management on the identical time.”
Maria Sakkari modified racquets. After 10 years, now performs with the Wilson Shift. Says it was the very best pre-season she’s ever had.
“It was a giant step. Individuals round me have been a little bit bit hesitant, however they may see that I used to be telling them that I do know there is a racquet on the market…
— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) January 14, 2024
Sakkari stated her workforce wasn’t certain that she ought to rock the boat after having a lot success along with her different racquet, for thus lengthy, however the Greek believed it was the proper name.
“It was a giant step,” she stated. “Individuals round me have been a little bit bit hesitant, however they may see that I used to be telling them that I do know there is a racquet on the market that’s higher for my recreation.”
So many gamers have horror tales about altering racquets and by no means discovering a consolation stage with the brand new stick. Some do it for profitable sponsorships, others simply search change. Sakkari, no stranger to lengthy hours on the court docket, spent numerous hours along with her new racquet to develop a excessive stage of consolation.
“I simply spent greater than 4 hours on the court docket and greater than two hours within the gymnasium, so it was greater than six hours every single day of coaching for 3 weeks,” she stated. “Clearly I did some double classes of health the week earlier than, and the nearer it got here to the event, my time on the court docket went down.
“However, yeah, it has been I feel the very best preseason I’ve ever had in my profession.”
The racquet isn’t the one change that Sakkari has made. She has additionally added Sports activities Psychologist Ben Crowe to her workforce. The Greek didn’t need to go in-depth about Crowe, who was a former mindset coach for Aussie legend Ash Barty.
“I simply do not actually need to discuss it. I wish to maintain these issues secretly,” she stated.
No.8-seeded Sakkari will tackle Russia’s Elina Avanesyan within the second spherical.
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