‘He Cannot Just Come In And Start Changing Things’- Maria Sakkari Opens Up About Adjusting To New Coach David Witt

Maria Sakkari parted ways with her 6-year coach Tom Hill just before the Indian Wells. Sakkari had admitted that she felt stagnated since two years after peaking at No. 3. So she wanted to give herself a chance to get better. That’s when Jessica Pegula’s former coach David Witt was approached.

Now in the ongoing Indian Wells, she has performed brilliantly so far. Given the major change in her coaching team, it’s highly likely to divide her attention into multiple directions, even making her resist new adjustments. In a recent press conference, Sakkari was asked about how she is getting adjusted to her new coach as it’s just been a week since they started working together. They wanted to understand how Witt was rolling things out for Sakkari.

Pointing at the areas where she and her new coach are working, she mentioned, “Well, you know, because it’s only been one week with him. He cannot just come in and change everything. Especially, you know, before a very big tournament.” Along with mentioning the small changes that they have worked on so far, Sakkari made her quick resistance to change clear by adding again, “Well, we’ve worked a little bit on the serve, just on my toss. And then on my returns… It’s been feeling really good. But obviously, you know, he cannot just come in and start changing things.”

Witt revealed in another interview later that he doesn’t anticipate making any big changes. He said, “Little things that we’re talking about doing… Maybe some drills to help her be more aggressive at times, rather than passive. When you’re tentative I think you can make more mistakes. You know, playing not to lose, rather than to win. At this level, Top 10 players, you have to play to win. If you give them a ball that’s around the service line and they don’t step up and rip it, then they’re not doing the right thing.”

Over the years several players and coaches have agreed that they bounce back successfully when they have a new person in the corner, supporting them. Just like Coco Gauff experienced success when Brad Gilbert stepped in and when Pegula signed David Witt in 2019, she rose to No.1 in doubles and No.3 in singles, during their four-and-a-half years together. Sakkari might have got Witt on board with a similar plan.

In the same presser, along with mentioning the fact that she isn’t ready to allow swift changes, Maria Sakkari also mentioned how her new coach David Witt has been coping well with it.

Sakkari appreciates her new ‘laid back’ coach

Maria Sakkari appreciated the cooperative traits of her coach, mentioning how she feels comfortable with him settling in. She said,  “I just feel very relaxed with David. He’s very laid back. That’s something that really helps me, being a very stressful person. I think I haven’t really stressed for anything the last few days I have been with him (smiling).

She also said her new coach David Witt is one of the funniest guys she’s met and she never feels stressed with him: He’s so funny. I think he’s one of the funniest guys I’ve ever met in my life… You know, which is the most important thing, but he’s also an amazing coach. Like, he keeps it very simple, and that’s what I like, because I don’t think I’m a player that you have to complicate things…”

As the Greek star currently finds herself in a need to play really well, it is understood that Sakkari will be working with Witt at both Indian Wells and Miami. If their partnership is successful, it could also be extended into the clay swing. The other members of her team have remained in the same roles. Julien Coustan continues to be her hitting partner, Giorgos Panagopoulos is her fitness coach, and Marc Boada is her physiotherapist.

The 28-year-old looks forward to her upcoming match against Emma Navarro, it will be exciting to see how David Witt helps her unlock her full potential!

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