TENNIS star Maria Sakkari has suffered a shocking first-round exit at the US Open, leaving her in tears during the post-match press conference.
The No. 8 seed lost to world’s No. 71 Rebeka Masarova in two sets – and after complaining about the smell of marijuana during the match.
Twitter/WtaFansGreece’s Maria Sakkari broke down in tears after her first-round loss at the 2023 US Open, during which she complained about a marijuana smell[/caption]
GettySakkari fell 6-4, 6-4 to Rebeka Masarova, crashing out in the first round of a Grand Slam for the third time in a row[/caption]
Sakkari brought the odor to the umpire’s attention as she led 4-1 in the first set.
“The smell, oh my gosh,” she said. “I think it’s from the park.”
The Greek star eventually fell 6-4, 6-4, crashing out in the first round of a Grand Slam tournament for the third time in a row.
But she didn’t want to use the foul smell as an excuse.
“It wasn’t the smell that affected the score in any way,” she said.
“It was just a comment because it was smelling quite a lot – but it has nothing to do with the match.
And she added: “Sometimes you smell food, sometimes you smell cigarettes, sometimes you smell weed.
“I mean, it’s something we cannot control because we’re in an open space. There’s a park behind. People can do whatever they want.”
Nick Kyrgios made a similar complaint during last year’s US Open.
Sakkari got emotional later in the press conference as the tennis star discussed what she herself described as a “poor” level of play in recent months.
“Maybe I have to take a break,” she said.
“I don’t know what I’m going to do, I’m suffering on the court.
“I’m trying to do everything to improve myself.”
Sakkari reached the US Open semifinals two years ago.