Maria Sakkari's US Open Journey Cut Short by Injury
Maria Sakkari's Early Exit at the US Open
Maria Sakkari's 2024 US Open journey came to an abrupt end in the first round after she retired due to a shoulder injury. Facing China's Yafan Wang, Sakkari lost 6-2 in the opening set before opting to withdraw after a lengthy medical timeout. Struggling with visible shoulder and neck issues, Sakkari's decision allowed Wang to become the first player to advance to the second round of this year's tournament.
Impact on Sakkari's Career
The World No. 9 had already pulled out of recent tournaments in Canada and Cincinnati and hadn't competed since the Olympic Games. Her early exit at the US Open continues her ongoing struggles in Grand Slam tournaments, with her last second-week appearance coming at the 2022 Australian Open. Sakkari's recent form has been disappointing, suffering notable defeats at Wimbledon to Emma Raducanu and at Roland Garros to Varvara Gracheva.
- Coach Changes: Despite adding coach Sergi Bruguera to her team after parting ways with long-time coach Tom Hill, her performances have yet to improve.
- Focus on Recovery: Instead of withdrawing before the tournament, Sakkari chose to compete but ultimately couldn’t finish the match, marking another setback for the Greek star.
She will now focus on recovering in time to defend her title in Guadalajara in the coming weeks.
This article was prepared using information from open sources in accordance with the principles of Ethical Policy. The editorial team is not responsible for absolute accuracy, as it relies on data from the sources referenced.