Sakkari’s confession on Netflix: ‘I said I wanted to retire from tennis and went to an island for four days’

Tennis fans – and not only – have the opportunity to enjoy this on Netflix from January 13th “breakpoint”. A new TV series focused on the sport and many tennis players including the two leading Greeks: Stefanos Tsitsipas and Maria Sakkari.

After the “Drive to Survive” loved by Formula 1 fans, the producers completely penetrated the tennis field and got full access to the four Grand Slams as well as the rest of the tournaments.

We follow the players and their staff everywhere, we see Nick and not Kyrgios, we hear Matteo and not Beretini, we see Taylor and not Fritz, Felix Oze and not Aliasim.

In short, people unfurl before us with all their worries, putting aside tennis player status for a moment.

Suddenly it wasn’t just light and glory. We see in the first five episodes released that the The pressure is on…on and off the pitch.

It is a dream for each of these tennis players to win a final and reach the top.

“Break Point” therefore invades the private lives of top tennis players, capturing a whole year of traveling around the world, the difficulties, the expectations they must meet and the dilemmas that are “born”.

The first five episodes focus on Melbourne Park, Indian Wells, Mutua Madrid Open and Roland Garros.

The remaining five episodes of the series, which will be released in June and in which Stefanos Tsitsipas will star, concern Wimbledon, Eastobourne, Queens Club, the US Open and the WTA and ATP Finals.

The appearance of Maria Sakkari and the shocking revelation

THE Maria Sakkari appears in the third episode of the series “California Dream”, which focuses on the era of the Sunshine Double (Indian Wells and Miami Masters), the two consecutive ATP Masters 1000.

The leading Greek talks about her big goal: “I want to be number 1 in the world.” and reveals that her biggest fear is “Mistake”, explains how difficult it is for an athlete to deal with defeat, especially when they are so close to their dream.

Arriving one step before the source and not drinking any water will certainly hurt twice as much.

And the disqualification in June 2021 hurt the world No. 6 a lot, it hurt her so much that she made the decision to end her career and retire from tennis, which she reveals for the first time.

Sakkari fought against Barbora Krejcikova, gave everything but was beaten 2-1 in a thrilling semi-final of Roland Garros, which turned into a thriller, decided the details and lasted more than three hours.

I couldn’t sleep for three days, huh?I have told my coaches that I want to retire from tennis

“I can be myself, I can be Maria Sakkari. i do what i love When you’re happy, you’re having fun and everything is going your way.

Last year I played, I think, seven or eight semifinals. And I only fought because I could see the end and I didn’t win.

My mind went so far and I couldn’t win. I stayed excited. I almost made it, but at the same time I didn’t make it.

There are many defeats that hurt, even today, like last year in Paris (Roland Garros 2021).

I lost while having match point. I didn’t know how to deal with it. I couldn’t sleep for three days. I lay down and just tried to sleep, but I was very nervous and sad.

It was difficult to handle. I have told my coaches that I want to retire from tennis. And I did it for four days and went to a Greek island.

I got Tom (coach) and said, ‘When are we going to start training again? I’m back on the job.” That’s what we call it.”

Sakkari before and after losing the Indian Wells final

About nine months later Maria Sakkari came closer to her first title than ever before.

The Greek champion dethroned Paula Bandosa to reach the biggest final of her career, where she faced Iga Sviontek.

“I’ve achieved great things in tennis. I know I can achieve better and bigger things. Mentally, I’m ready to deal with my emotions in the finals.

Being here is a dream come true for me.” were the words of Sakkari just before she faced Poland.

However, the stress “spoiled” Maria and didn’t let her make history by winning her first title at a 1000 WTA tournament while also climbing to No. 2 in the world rankings.

Sviontek was the big winner 2-0 (6-4, 6-1) and defeated Sakkari for the second straight game after prevailing in Doha a month earlier.

We all learn to lose unless you are Roger, Rafa or Novak

“All the pressure I’ve had over the years just came out. It was terrible. I want to cry. It’s embarrassing. You are not yourself. I wasn’t the Maria I was for two weeks.

That emotional victory over Paula in the semifinals sapped all my energy. Losing is also part of the game. We all learn how to lose.

Unless you’re Roger, Rafa or Novak.” said the Greek to the “Break Point” camera.