Maria Sakkari is “super excited” to be returning to the WTA Finals but highlighted that she didn’t want to earn a spot the way she did. On Tuesday, world No 8 Karolina Muchova announced she was withdrawing from the WTA Finals in Cancun due to her ongoing wrist injury. Sakkari, who was ninth on the Race to the WTA Finals, was the first replacement in line in case there was a player withdrawal. Following Muchova’s withdrawal, Sakkari learned that she would be playing in Cancun next week. “Not the way I wanted to qualify, but I’m super excited to be coming back to Mexico!” Sakkari wrote on her Instagram Story.
Sakkari replaces Muchova at the WTA Finals
Muchova, 27, was scheduled to make her WTA Finals debut this year. Unfortunately, it won’t be happening for the Czech this year. “I am heartbroken to announce that I will miss my first WTA Finals in Cancun. Together with the team and doctors we tried everything till the last moments to resolve my wrist injury. Unfortunately, the time needed for the recovery is longer than we would’ve hoped for and therefore I had to make this unpleasant decision. I greatly appreciate the support of all the fans. I will do my best to be back in 2024 and get another chance to be part of the @wtafinals,” Muchova announced on Tuesday. Meanwhile, 28-year-old Sakkari is set to make her third WTA Finals appearance. In 2021, Sakkari made the semifinal in her WTA Finals debut. Last year, Sakkari again reached the same stage at the WTA Finals before losing to Caroline Garcia. This year, Sakkari will undoubtedly again be looking to make it past the group stage and potentially go all the way. Sakkari now joins a WTA Finals field that features Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Ons Jabeur and Marketa Vondrousova.