Last month Maria Sakkari received a $30,000 grant from the Greek Tennis Federation to prepare for the Olympic Games, but her response has drawn praise from many.
When notified about the sum, the world No.42 immediately requested that it be split and shared with two other players. Next Gen star Stefanos Tsitsipas and Valentini Grammatikopoulou. In Greece athletes receive a set financial grant to help with their Olympic preparations. Sakkari’s gesture was a fine example of the Olympic spirit of athletes helping each other out. To put the grant into perspective. It works out at almost one eighth of what she has earned in prize money so far this season.
“Me, Stefanos, and Valentini are in the Olympic preparation. I got a call from the president and he said I have $30,000 for you. I said I think we should split it because Valentini needs the money more than I do because her ranking position is lower, and of course Stefanos deserves it as much as I do. He’s trying hard and he’s working hard.” Sakkari told wtatennis.com.
“We’re all working hard and we all deserve the same amount of money. I proposed to split the money because it’s the right thing to do.”
The gesture has been welcomed by Tsitsipas, who is currently ranked 43rd in the world. Speaking about Sakkari following his first round win at the Rome Masters, the 19-year-old revealed that he found out about his compatriots decision by reading it in the news.
“It was a very, very nice gesture. I didn’t see that coming, to be honest. I thanked her two, three days ago.” He said.
“And that was very nice from her. Not everyone will do it, to be honest.
“She’s a lovely girl. And she’s also a very good competitor out on the court. And I’m very proud that me and her, we can bring tennis in Greece to another level.”
Tsitsipas has enjoyed a breakthrough on the tour in recent weeks. At the Barcelona Open he reached his maiden ATP final before losing in straight sets to Rafael Nadal. He followed up on that performance with a run to the semifinals of the Estoril Open a week later.
Shakkari has also enjoyed success on the clay this season. At the Istanbul Open she reached the semi-finals in what was her best performance in a WTA tournament so far this year. Prior to that, she also reached the fourth round of the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells. Sakkari is currently at a ranking high.
There is a chance that the two Greek No.1s could join forces in the future. Tsitsipas has revealed that they have discussed playing in the Hopman Cup. An annual exhibition event that features mixed teams. This year’s title was won by Roger Federer and Belinda Bencic.
“We talked about it two days ago.” Tsitsipas said on Tuesday.
“Apparently we have had some offers. I hope we can team up together and play, I think, for the first time in Greece. Representing Greece for the first time in the Hopman Cup would be amazing, to be honest. It’s a dream come true.”
Both players are in action at the Italian Open on Wednesday. Sakkari will take on sixth seed Karolina Pliskova. Meanwhile, Tsitsipas faces Juan Martín del Potro.
