Maria Sakkari, currently ranked world No. 22, has officially ended her 2024 tennis season early due to a persistent shoulder injury, as revealed in her latest Instagram story. The 29-year-old Greek star has been battling this injury for several weeks, focusing primarily on her recovery. Unfortunately, her rehabilitation has not progressed as hoped, and she will no longer participate in any further tournaments this year.
Sakkari’s announcement adds her to a growing list of WTA players who have been forced to cut their seasons short due to injuries, including Ons Jabeur and Caroline Garcia. The frequency and severity of injuries among top players on both the ATP and WTA circuits have been alarming, raising concerns about the impact of the grueling tennis schedule on athletes’ health.
Sakkari’s 2024 season has been filled with trials, including a split with her long-time coach Tom Hill earlier in the year. After attempting to form a new partnership with David Witt, she ended that collaboration just months later, in June. The shoulder injury has only compounded the difficulties she’s faced, forcing her to withdraw from competition earlier than planned.
Sakkari’s most recent appearance on the court was at the US Open in late August, where she had to retire during her first-round match against Wang Yafan due to shoulder issues. Wang dominated the opening set, winning 6-2, before Sakkari was forced to withdraw, unable to continue competing through the pain.
In her latest Instagram story, Sakkari thanked her fans for their continued support and promised to come back stronger and pain-free. “It’s been a challenging year, but it has taught me a lot as well,” she wrote, leaving her followers with a hopeful message about her future. Sakkari concluded her announcement by stating that she would see everyone soon, with her eyes set on a 2025 comeback in Australia.