"I had zero support from sponsors or federations" says Maria Sakkari

Tennis is a very expensive sport and most tennis players struggle with the cost early in their career. It's even worse if you're not considered some bright talent and oftentimes the amount of work you put in separates you from the rest. Such was the path of Maria Sakkari who revealed that there was no support for her early in her career:

“I was lucky to have parents like my parents because they invested a lot and I had zero support from federations or sponsors. My father paid so much for me to play tennis and I’m very grateful for what he has done and they have both done in order for me to achieve my goals.”

Sakkari was determined to succeed in tennis yet she also had a backup plan if things did not work out. Remembering that she said:

“I was thinking of maybe going to college or studying something in Greece.”

Sakkari has also always been open about the struggle of being a tennis player admitting that she struggles with a lot of negative thoughts:

“Being deadly honest, I’m working with a specialist. I’m not hiding it from anyone. It’s probably one of the best gifts I’ve ever given to myself because that improved me as a person and it improved me as a player as well. It’s the best thing in that part of my career, it was my turning point and it definitely was one thing that I will never regret.”