Changing racket isn't that unusual in the tennis world, but players don't usually do it after a long period of time, which makes this latest move by Maria Sakkari quite interesting.
Maria Sakkari opened her 2024 campaign at the United Cup and played some really solid tennis. She was part of the Greek team that made an impact at the event by winning a couple of crucial matches.
The hope is to continue that at the Australian Open, and having a new racket might contribute to that. Sakkari is playing with a new racket this year. It's an entirely new frame, different from the one she has used for the past ten years.
It's been a good move for her, which she confirmed after the first-round Australian Open win over Nao Hibino from Japan, 6-4, 6-1.
"It's been a while since I wanted to change racquets. I spoke to Wilson, and I think we came up with a great plan and great racquet for myself and for my game. It's been the perfect racquet for my game. I still get the spin, but I get a lot of power and control at the same time."
The move is quite unexpected because it doesn't really happen that often. Not in this context and it was a big step. She mentioned how her team wasn't fully on board immediately, but she wanted to do it, and she's glad that so far, it's been working out really well.
"It was a big step. People around me were a little bit hesitant, but they could see that I was telling them that I know there's a racquet out there that is better for my game."
We'll see what kind of an impact it will have in the coming weeks. Sakkari confirmed the new racket is the Wilson Shift, and while she changed the racket, she kept the same string and tensions.
"It feels the right thing. No, it's just the racquet. I kept the same strings and same tension and everything. The Wilson Shift. It's a new racquet and a creation that I think it's perfect for my game."
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