Maria Sakkari, once among the top competitors in tennis, will compete in the qualifying rounds for the Rome Open. The former Top 3 player's ranking has dropped significantly, currently placing her at world No. 82. This marks a deviation from her typical entry into top-tier events.
Competing in the qualifiers for a WTA 1000 event is a first for Sakkari since the 2019 Italian Open. At that tournament, she entered through qualifying and advanced to the semifinals before losing to the 4th seed Karolina Pliskova. Her performance there helped her reach a career-high world No. 29 at the time.
Her situation follows a sustained period of consistency. Maria Sakkari’s Shocking Plunge highlights the shift in her standing after several years. She remained in the Top 30 for five consecutive seasons and was in the Top 10 for three straight years between September 2021 and 2024.
Sakkari holds an 83-54 record in tournaments of this category, including a title win at the Guadalajara Open. Despite a lackluster 10-14 record this season, her results at the recent Madrid Open showed improvement, where she reached the round of 16.
In Madrid, she defeated Magda Linette and Jasmine Paolini, a Top 10 player. That victory against Paolini was her first against a Top 10 opponent since defeating Coco Gauff at Indian Wells 14 months prior. Coco Gauff vs Maria Sakkari describes their previous matches.
Her quest to improve her ranking begins with her qualifying match against Chloe Paquet, ranked No. 124. Sakkari is the 8th seed in the qualifying draw.
Maria Sakkari’s Epic Redemption Journey notes her past success emerging from tough draws. Her path in Rome could involve facing Maja Chwalińska or Yulia Starodubtseva if she advances past her first match.
Her return through the qualifying rounds presents an opportunity for the Greek player to regain ground in the rankings. Maria Sakkari Strikes Back previously detailed her response to commentary regarding her performance.
