Maria Sakkari splits with longtime coach Tom Hill

Despite the current trend, it is not normal for a tennis player to split with the coach one month into the season. Jessica Pegula and Holger Rune made coaching changes already this year, and Maria Sakkari is the latest to do so.

Sakkari has worked with Tom Hill for six years. 2023 was a low point in her career as she suffered first-round losses in three Grand Slams. Though she finished the year with a title in Guadalajara, many suspected that she and Hill may part ways in November.

In 2024, she made it to the second round of the Australian Open but lost in the first round in Abu Dhabi and Doha before calling it quits with Hill. This was an amicable split that both she and Hill announced on social media.

What is next for Maria Sakkari?

Sakkari is expected to play in Dubai next week. She will be traveling with her mother and her hitting partner. A coach will not be named until later.

She is 28 years old, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist, and the winner of two WTA titles. Her highest career ranking was World No. 3 in 2022. Sakkari is a solid player who needs a coach to take her to the next level. It is unclear if it is a mental or physical block that is preventing her from breaking through and earning more WTA title victories and Grand Slam opportunities.

Ironically, she is in a similar position, in terms of age and (singles) career accomplishments as Jessica Pegula who recently split with her longtime coach David Witt. Sometimes, the players and coaches are doing their best for each other, but a change is necessary for the players to either see or understand different strategies to advance their game. The top-ranked players on the WTA Tour are under 25 years of age so time is of the essence for Sakkari (and Pegula).

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