In the world of professional tennis, longevity is an exceptional quality. The gifted Greek tennis player Maria Sakkari, who is currently making waves on the world stage, opened up about the lasting influence of tennis legends Martina Navratilova and Chrissie Evert. Sakkari, who is renowned for her strong style and unwavering perseverance on the court, expressed her profound respect for Navratilova and Evert for their remarkable tennis accomplishments and for their continued presence and impact on the game.

Drawing inspiration from tennis legends and being around them is indeed a constant source of encouragement for future generations. Highlighting this aspect of the story, let’s find out what Sakkari said about the great legends of tennis.

Maria Sakkari becomes a minstrel singing praises for her messiahs

In a time when the professional tennis scene continues to grow, players like Maria Sakkari can learn much from the insight and experience of legends like Martina Navratilova. Beyond her accomplishments on the court, Navratilova has embraced roles as advocates, analysts, and mentors, using their platforms to further justice, inclusivity, and the competitive spirit that endures. Acknowledging the lessons and tips that she has learned from Martina Navaratilova, she said, “I just feel like having her around, and she gave me a couple of tips back in the day. It’s nice, because she really cares about us and cares about women’s tennis.”

Martina Navratilova, a pioneer in women’s tennis, receives recognition for her unparalleled achievements, including and has won many titles to her name during her career. Besides her substantial trophy collection, Navratilova’s bold style of play and her trailblazing support of gender equality have made a lasting impression on tennis history.

“You know, I admire her so much. She’s a very cool person. What she has achieved, I’m not even going to mention, because it’s pointless right now. Everyone knows she’s amazing,” Maria Sakkari further pointed out her cool demeanor and her groundbreaking achievements on court.

Not only Martina Navaratilova, but Sakkari also mentioned another great tennis player of all time, and how people like them are a source of constant encouragement for the new generation.

Sakkari’s appreciation for Chrissie Evert

Maria Sakkari also showed her deep gratitude towards Chrissie Evert for still being involved in the sport. “Yeah, it’s nice to have her around. Chrissie, as well. All of the legends that are involved are, you know, very, very good people above  everything,” Sakkari further added. Chrissie Evert dominated women’s tennis in the 1970s and 1980s and has won eight Grand Slam singles titles. She is now an analyst for a sports channel and continues to be an influential figure in tennis.

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Maria Sakkari remains appreciative of the mentorship and motivation she received from tennis greats like Chrissie Evert and Martina Navratilova while she forges her own career in the sport. Their presence encourages future generations to uphold the principles of integrity, resiliency, and greatness both on and off the court by serving as a reminder of the rich history and legacy of the sport.

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