Maria Sakkari: 'Let's go lift it tomorrow'

Maria Sakkari is set to compete in the Athens Open final, a significant milestone as she aims to secure the first WTA title on Greek soil. After defeating Alina Korneeva 6-1, 7-5, Sakkari shared her profound emotions about the upcoming match.

"I don't know if I'll be able to articulate and speak," Sakkari said. "Truly, from the bottom of my heart, even if I haven't won the tournament yet, tomorrow will be a celebration. To play in front of my family, my loved ones who have never seen me play in a final, regardless of the result, will be something unique, especially playing here, in the place where I grew up."

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I don't know if I'll be able to articulate and speak. Truly, from the bottom of my heart, even if I haven't won the tournament yet, tomorrow will be a celebration. To play in front of my family, my loved ones who have never seen me play in a final, regardless of the result, will be something unique, especially playing here, in the place where I grew up.

The Greek tennis star acknowledged the historical significance of the moment, noting that her mother was the last Greek woman to reach a WTA final in Athens 40 years prior. Sakkari expressed her determination to go further than her mother did.

"Surely my mom would want the same, for me to go one step further than her," Sakkari stated. "Tomorrow will be a celebration for me; it would be immense to win. This week has been an incredible experience, and tomorrow we go to lift it."

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Surely my mom would want the same, for me to go one step further than her. Tomorrow will be a celebration for me; it would be immense to win. This week has been an incredible experience, and tomorrow we go to lift it.