Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Wednesday, September 20, 2024

Home roots inspire Maria Sakkari's ultimate tennis dream. 

The Athens native views a golden goal as the top tennis achievement.

Halep on Doping Ban: It's Insane

Asked in her Guadalajara post-match presser if she had a choice between winning a maiden Grand Slam title or an Olympic gold medal what would she choose, Sakkari delivered an emphatic response. 

"I come from Greece. The Olympic Games started in Greece," Sakkari said. "A gold medal would mean the world to me, and just something unbelievable to bring back home, and just be able to, you know, do it either in singles or mixed doubles with Stefanos, it would be amazing."



Sakkari and Tsitsipas have partnered in the past, including at Hopman Cup in Perth, Australia.

The 28-year-old Sakkari isn't the only star who values Olympic gold more than Grand Slam silverware.

Four-time Olympic gold medal champion Venus Williams values the Games more than Grand Slams because of the pride she feels competing as an Olympian.

"For me, personally, yes (Olympics are above Grand Slams)," Venus Williams said in a past interview. "The proudest moment for me when they do the on-court announcements, are the Olympic results. For me, that feels legitimate."

Photo credit: Matthew Calvis