Maria Sakkari may take a 'break' from tennis after early exit at US Open

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Aug 28, 2023; Flushing, NY, USA;   Maria Sakkari of Greece in action against Rebeka Masarova of Spain on day one of the 2023 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center. Mandatory Credit: Jerry Lai-USA TODAY Sports

Maria Sakkari had a miserable year at the Grand Slams.

PHOTO: REUTERS

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NEW YORK – Greek world No. 8 Maria Sakkari said she may take a break from tennis after suffering an opening-round exit at the US Open.

The 28-year-old crashed out after a 6-4, 6-4 defeat by Spanish world No. 71 Rebeka Masarova, capping a miserable year at the Grand Slams after first-round exits at the French Open and Wimbledon and a third-round appearance at the Australian Open.

"I wouldn't say I was playing well," an emotional Sakkari told Eurosport. "If I played at least five or 10% better, I would have won that match.

"These are the matches that I have to win. I cannot lose these matches; there have been too many for my level this year, and it's unfortunate.

"I just feel like my level was and has been poor and I have to do something about it. It's not a lack of effort, for sure.

"It's very uncertain, I don't know what I am going to do, whether I am going to take a break or not." REUTERS

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