Maria Sakkari breaks down in tears as dreadful Grand Slam results continue for Greek with injury retirement in US Open 2024 1R

Maria Sakkari's 2024 US Open campaign came to a tearful end. The Greek found herself struggling with an apparent shoulder injury during her first-round encounter against China's Wang Yafan on Monday, August 26. Unable to continue after losing the first set 2-6, Sakkari decided to retire, marking yet another dismal Grand Slam outing.

Sakkari came into the US Open on the back of a third-round loss to Ukraine's Marta Kostyuk at the Paris Olympics. The World No. 9 had not featured at any of the prior US Open Series events (Citi Open, National Bank Open in Toronto, and Cincinnati Open) in a bid to be at her best at the prestigious hardcourt Major.

However, the Greek struggled with both her first and second serves against Wang. Even though she created three break point opportunities, she failed to capitalize on any of them. Meanwhile, Wang converted two out of five break point opportunities she mustered of her own and went on to seal the first set 6-2 in emphatic fashion.

Sakkari, seemingly struggling with a shoulder injury, threw in the towel at this point, leaving the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center's Court 17 in tears.

The former World No. 3's early exit from the 2024 US Open marks yet another disappointing campaign at a Major for the Greek. The last time she made it to the second week of a Grand Slam was at the 2022 Australian Open, where she reached the fourth round before losing to Jessica Pegula.

Maria Sakkari had lashed out at her critics during her run to the BNP Paribas Open 2024 final

Maria Sakkari (Source: Getty)

Maria Sakkari endured a difficult start to the ongoing tennis season, losing four out of her nine matches played before the 2024 BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells in March. The Greek's losses led to her dropping out of the top 10 temporarily, and considerable criticism came her way owing to her erratic form.

However, Sakkari enjoyed a resurgent campaign in Indian Wells, finishing the prestigious WTA 1000 event as the runner-up to World No. 1 Iga Swiatek. Following her fourth-round win over Frenchwoman Diane Parry in Indian Wells, the Greek took a swipe at her critics at a press conference, saying:

"Guys, please keep doing it. Please keep talking sh*t about me, but I'm here and I'm here to be better and I'm here to improve."

In the live race to the WTA Finals, Maria Sakkari finds herself at a lowly No. 23 following her first-round retirement at the 2024 US Open.