Sakkari: It’s great to play in these conditions

The draining Tokyo heat and humidity is hardly the favourite feature of this Olympic Games for many athletes, but Maria Sakkari is relishing the testing temperatures at Ariake Tennis Park.

The world No. 19 successfully turned around a 2-5 opening set deficit to beat Estonian Anett Kontaveit 7-5 6-2 on Saturday and book a second round clash with Nina Stojanovic, and the Greek believes she benefited from the energy-sapping conditions.

“I think it was probably the toughest first round I could get,” Sakkari admitted. “Anett is an exceptional player. We’ve played each other so many times. It was very tough when I saw the draw that I’m playing her in the first round but I think I managed to play really well after the 5-2. I made a lot of balls and it went well in the end. I actually like these conditions."

The Athens-born 25-year-old developed her game in similar conditions as a youngster – experience that she feels will serve her well at the Tokyo Games.

“It’s great to play in these conditions,” she reiterated. “I grew up playing in the heat. Maybe not that humid, but heat is the way we grew up playing in Greece and I actually embrace that.

“It’s normal [that players react differently], if you put me in minus 20 degrees I would also struggle. It’s different conditions for everyone. [Kontaveit] is from the north of Europe and it’s normal [that she would feel the heat more]. I have to say. Many players will struggle with the heat.”

Sakkari proved her mettle as a potential medal contender in Tokyo with her run to the semi-finals at Roland Garros in June. The field in front of her may be formidable this week, but the Greek believes that overcoming an early test will serve her well for the challenges to come at the tournament.

“It was great to have a tough match in the beginning,” she said. “It’s the Olympics – it’s probably the best players in the world [here], especially in the women’s draw. We don’t have a lot of players who aren’t playing here. It’s going to be a battle every match I play but I’m ready for it.”