“Really believe I have a good chance on getting back and giving myself the best chance to become one of the best players again” – Sakkari enjoying time with new coach Witt
The world No 9 is through to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in her first tournament with new coach David Witt
Maria Sakkari at Indian Wells 2024
Greece’s Maria Sakkari has been working with a new coach, David Witt, after ending a long association with Tom Hill. In her first tournament since then, the 28-year-old is through to the quarter-finals of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
On Wednesday, Sakkari, now ranked No 9 in the world, defeated France’s Diane Parry in three sets and then spoke about some of the reasons why she wanted a new coach to the media.
“I want to improve. You know, I got to No 3 and I just feel like I can get better,” Sakkari said. “There are things out there, I think I spoke to Courtney last year, I said that there are a couple of girls that have made an extra step in their careers, and I just want to try and, you know, catch them.
“By, you know, working with David, I feel like I can do that. I just feel like I have the athletic abilities. Mentally I can improve, of course, and tennis-wise, it’s not like I need to change my game. It’s just that I need to add a couple of things.”
I’m very hard on myself. So I just need someone that, you know, he doesn’t stress me, and that’s what David does really well.
Sakkari admitted that she felt she stagnated a little bit since peaking at No 3 two years ago but wants to give herself a chance to get back and get better.
“A little bit, I would say,” Sakkari responded when asked if she felt she was stagnating. “Not blaming anyone, of course, blaming only myself. I just feel like just trying new things and trying to be better and improve. I really believe I have a good chance on just getting back to that level and giving myself the best chance to become, you know, one of the best players again. Not that top 10 is a bad thing, but, you know, just better than that (smiling).”
Sakkari added that Witt’s light-hearted mature compliments her personality and she is enjoying the association as of now.
“He’s just very relaxed and very laid back. That’s what I need, because I’m very hard on myself. So I just need someone that, you know, he doesn’t stress me, and that’s what David does really well. Obviously has incredible experience on the tennis side. But, on the mental side, I just feel like he’s just very, very relaxed. That’s what I really like. As I said, he’s so funny that I just enjoy my time with him on and off the court,” she added. “He’s bonding really well with the rest of the team, which is a very important thing, because, you know, we spend a lot of time with each other. You know, we created a very nice team the last few days.”
The Greek next assignment will be a clash against American Emma Navarro with a spot in the Indian Wells semi-finals on the line.
