When one thinks of Greek representation at the French Open 2020, fifth seed Stefanos Tsitsipas instantly comes to mind. However, there is another talented player on the WTA side of the draw; Greece’s Maria Sakkari is already into the third round. Sakkari is an experienced campaigner in women’s tennis, at just 25 years of age.

Despite not having played her best tennis so far, 20th seed Sakkari exuded some serious confidence regarding her future in the tournament. Sakkari admitted that the first few rounds at Grand Slams are quite tricky to get through. She knows the road ahead is even more difficult, but she is ready all the same.

“Because I have played a lot of Grand Slam now, I feel that now I am becoming dangerous. I went through the first two difficult rounds… And I feel better about myself,” Sakkari said in a recent interview. “I feel like I find solutions on the pitch, regardless of the opponent or how I feel, and now I think I can make others ‘suffer’ with my game.”

Manner of victory does not matter for Maria Sakkari

The cooler and heavier conditions in Paris this year are a major talking point. Sakkari said she knew all along that the conditions would make things difficult. But a win is what counts eventually, no matter how it comes, believes Sakkari. “For me, the A and Z is to win and I do not care how… I have seen myself play better and I know it is inside me,” the world number 24 said.

Sakkari, who reached the fourth round at US Open 2020, said she learned the importance of endurance very early. Her mother imbibed in her the mentality of not leaving the field until the sun rises. She plans to continue doing that in Paris, where the sun actually hasn’t been rising a lot these days.

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Ready to fight it out at French Open 2020

“Here, where there is no sun, I will wait until it comes out and takes out horns! It’s this thing: whoever wants to stay on the field, whoever is willing to stay on the field longer, will win over here,” Sakkari expressed.

Sakkari continued to fire warnings to her opponents. “I do not care about the way or the opponent, I will try to make her life difficult. This is for sure,” she continued.

(all quotes have been translated with Google translate)

While Sakkari feels underdogs can win the title, she is well aware of the quality the likes of Simona Halep and Elina Svitolina possess.

The former world number 20 will play Martina Trevisan, who beat Coco Gauff, in her next match at Roland Garros. After that, she could very well face fifth seed Kiki Bertens. Tournament favorite Halep is also in the same quarter.