Maria Sakkari

Greek player known for her fitness and fighting spirit who has reached the semifinals of three different Grand Slams.

Maria Sakkari was born on 25 July 1995 in Athens, Greece, and moved to Barcelona at 18 to pursue her tennis training more intensively. She turned professional in 2015, developing into the highest-ranked Greek player, of either gender, in the sport's history. Sakkari reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 3 on 21 March 2022, and delivered back-to-back Grand Slam semi-final runs in 2021, reaching the last four of both the French Open and US Open in the same season. She was named Greek Female Athlete of the Year for both 2020 and 2021 in recognition of her breakthrough seasons. Renowned for a physically demanding, high-intensity playing style built around relentless court coverage and heavy topspin, Sakkari has reached multiple WTA 1000 finals throughout her career, including at Indian Wells in both 2022 and 2024, though a maiden Grand Slam title has continued to elude her. Sakkari has represented Greece at multiple Olympic Games, reaching the third round at both Tokyo 2020 and Paris 2024, and remains one of the most consistent and battle-tested competitors on the WTA Tour, citing Serena Williams, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer among her tennis idols growing up.

Sakkari is known for her aggressive baseline game and powerful forehand that can dominate rallies from the back of the court. She possesses strong mental toughness and fighting spirit, often performing well in high-pressure situations. Her athletic movement and ability to construct points effectively make her particularly dangerous on hard courts.

Sakkari has elevated Greek tennis to new heights and inspired a generation of young Greek players to pursue the sport professionally.

• Reached semifinals of French Open, US Open and Australian Open
• peak ranking world No. 3