Oeiras (Portugal) – Originally planned to compete in the Billie Jean King Cup Group II this week, Maria Sakkari misses the Greek team playing in the Euro-African zone, on the clay courts of Oeiras, Portugal. At a press conference on Thursday, Sakkari said he was ill and hadn’t trained for a week. The priority for the current world number 9 is to be at the WTA 500 in Stuttgart next week, but she still does not know if she will be able to act on German clay.

“I’m not 100 per cent like I’d like to be healthy, but I’m here to help the girls and so far they’re doing great. It’s unlikely. I’m not feeling well, I don’t feel well. haven’t been training for a long time. It would be a mistake to go on the court now, it would be bad for my health. It’s a pity for me not to be able to represent my country. I had planned to play four or five games here and gain rhythm on clay, but I feel like I’m not in the physical condition for that,” Sakkari said.

“I have to make a decision by Saturday night. Stuttgart is probably the strongest tournament of the season. I’m seeded 8, but I can face someone who is already 11 or 12 in the world in the first round. And if I’m not 150% ready, physically and mentally, I’m not going to step onto the pitch. But the main goal is to be ready for Stuttgart and for the next tournaments,” added the Greek. , fell during the debut of the German. tournament last year.

With 15 wins and seven losses in 2024, Sakkari made the semi-finals in Linz, Doha and Indian Wells, but emerged from early elimination in Miami, overtaken by Canadian Bianca Andreescu in three sets. “It wasn’t my best start to the season, but Indian Wells was a great tournament for me. I reached the semi-finals after being a runner-up last year. My level of tennis was good before I got sick , I’m in good shape . I’m convinced that good things will happen this year”.

A constant presence in the final stages of tournaments, despite only one WTA title, the 27-year-old Greek would like to be included in the discussions between the main candidates for the main achievements. “Some people forget that I have been in the top 10 for two years. Only me, Iga and Sabalenka have played the last two editions of the WTA Finals. It gives me a lot of hope. I am number 9 now, but I am already third ranking and I finished last year in sixth place. I think I can do even better. I don’t have a lot of points to defend in the coming weeks and I can get back to a good ranking.”