Chasing Greatness: Maria Sakkari on Mental Health, Longevity, and Tennis
Jan 8, 2025
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Maria Sakkari, a top-ranked Greek professional tennis player, shares her inspiring journey to becoming the world's #3 athlete. She discusses the mental strategies she employs, including the power of visualization on match days. Sakkari opens up about her rigorous training and recovery methods, like cold plunges, which enhance performance. The conversation emphasizes the critical importance of mental health and coping mechanisms in professional sports, particularly for female athletes, while reflecting on her exciting encounters with icons like Serena Williams.
Maria Sakkari prioritize her match day routine focused on sleep, nutrition, and recovery methods to maintain peak performance.
The importance of mental health is highlighted by Sakkari through visualization techniques and working with a mental coach for confidence.
Deep dives
Maria Sakari's Journey to Tennis Stardom
Maria Sakari committed to tennis at a young age, following in her mother’s footsteps, who was also a professional player. Both were competitive, and Sakari's early beginnings with her brother encouraged her to step onto the court around the age of five. She faced a decision at 18, contemplating whether to pursue tennis or shift to university; however, after qualifying for a Grand Slam, she chose to continue on her path. This choice eventually led her to become the highest-ranked Greek female tennis player, achieving a world ranking of number three.
Importance of Routine and Recovery
Sakari emphasizes the crucial role of her match day routine in preparing for competitions, highlighting the significance of adequate sleep and nutrition. She prioritizes getting eight to nine hours of sleep before matches and enjoys Greek food, which she considers an advantage. Additionally, she incorporates recovery methods like ice baths and sauna sessions as part of her regimen, acknowledging their role in her physical preparation. These routines not only help her recover but also maintain her performance under the demands of a professional tennis career.
Mental Health and Visualization Techniques
Mental health holds paramount importance for Sakari, as she travels extensively and often spends more time with her team than with family. She practices visualization techniques, envisioning successful plays before matches to foster confidence and overcome nerves. Working with a mental coach for several years has helped her cultivate a positive mindset, and she tends to visualize herself performing well in matches, which correlates with her success. This practice is rooted in her belief that mental strength impacts overall performance in high-stress scenarios like professional tennis.
Lessons from Injury and Future Aspirations
After experiencing an injury that sidelined her for part of the season, Sakari focused on the silver linings, using the time to reconnect with family and assess her approach to training. The injury has prompted her to reconsider her routine, realizing the importance of listening to her body and not overextending herself. Additionally, she seeks to adapt her training to ensure longevity in her career, inspired by other athletes like Giannis Antetokounmpo who exemplify commitment to both performance and well-being. Sakari aims to find a balance between professional aspirations and personal life, particularly regarding starting a family.
On this week’s episode, WHOOP Founder and CEO Will Ahmed is joined by global tennis star Maria Sakkari. Will and Maria discuss Maria’s journey to becoming a professional tennis player (1:38), the level of independence in tennis (5:55), becoming the #3 player in the world (7:01), how Maria prepares for a big match (7:57), what Maria tracks to be her best (16:58), Maria’s WHOOP data (16:58), some key lessons Maria learned from her injury (20:19) and how to increase longevity as an athlete (23:09). Will and Maria also dive into the importance of protecting mental health as a professional athlete (25:51), Maria’s experience playing Serena Williams for the first time (33:44), and some rapid-fire questions (36:42).