Maria Sakkari

While the name of Maria Sakkari might be more likely to raise question marks, the young Greek is definitely a name worth keeping an eye on. Born in Athens, Greece, the youngster has risen to the top 100 of the WTA Singles rankings. A competitive player with an indominatible spirit, Sakkari and her right-handed playstyle has helped to become an inspiration in her home nation. While many people in Greece view Tennis as a secondary sport, it’s obvious that Sakkari does not.

If she continues to improve as she has done in recent years, too, then, there is nothing to say that she cannot make a new generation of Greek tennis players shine. Having been a professional since the age of 19, Sakkari has already made important steps forward in a young and fledgling career. While titles still evade the youngster, she has much to learn and improve upon still – the sky is the limit for this young Athenian.

Coached by German Puentes, too, it’s safe to say that Maria is under the best guidance that she could be. Not only is her love of tennis genuine, it’s lasted for many years. She was introduced to the sport at the age of 6, starting playing at such a young age. Her mother had even played in the Top 50 of the WTA Singles Ranking in the past, so she has some pretty big shoes to try and fill as far as her career success goes.

Best on hard and clay surfaces, she tends to perform best when on these climates. It allows her strong service game to flourish, and makes sure that she can use her rangy nature to help dominate on the court.

So far, her main achievement is probably qualifying for the main draw of the 2015 US Open. As ever, she looks up to major contemporaries of the day such as Serena Williams. Roger Federer and Rafa Nadal.

When not on the court improving to move higher up those rankings, she’s with friends or visiting back home in Greece. For many, she is the ray of light and the beacon of hope that sports in Greece has been calling out for across the years. At such a young age, she might just have the opportunity to put tennis back on the map in a country that, to many, it appears has lost interest in the sport as a major past-time.