"Not the way I wanted to qualify" - Maria Sakkari reacts to Karolina Muchova's WTA Finals withdrawal; expresses excitement about returning to Mexico

Maria Sakkari is all set to make her mark in the 2023 WTA Finals following the unfortunate withdrawal of Karolina Muchova due to a wrist injury.

The WTA Finals, starting on Sunday, October 29, will feature the top eight women’s singles players of the year competing for the prestigious trophy and a share of the $9 million prize money.

Sakkari, ranked ninth in the world, was next in line for the event after Muchova announced her withdrawal on October 24. The Czech said she was "heartbroken" to miss her first WTA Finals and that she tried everything to recover from her wrist injury in time.

"I am heartbroken to announce that I will miss my first WTA Finals in Cancun," Karolina Muchova wrote on Instagram. "Together with the team and doctors we tried everything till the last moments to resolve my wrist injury."

Muchova thanked her fans for their support and pledged to be back stronger in 2024.

"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," she added.

Sakkari, on the other hand, has had a breakthrough season in 2023, winning her first WTA 1000 title at the Guadalajara Open in Mexico last month.

The Greek expressed her mixed feelings about this development on Instagram on Tuesday, October 24. She empathized with Muchova while also highlighting her enthusiasm for returning to Mexico.

"Not the way I wanted to qualify, but I'm super excited to be coming back to Mexico!" Sakkari wrote on Instagram.

Maria Sakkari on Instagram

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A look at Maria Sakkari's performance in Asian swing tournaments this season

Maria Sakkari at the 2023 China Open

Maria Sakkari had decent results in the Asian swing of the WTA Tour. She started off well by reaching the semifinals of the 2023 Tokyo Open, where she received a bye in the first round and defeated Misaki Doi and Caroline Garcia en route to the last four.

However, she was stunned in the semifinals by eventual runner-up Jessica Pegula in straight sets 6-2, 6-3.

The Greek then moved on to the 2023 Beijing Open, where she was seeded sixth and received a bye in the opening round. She faced Linda Fruhvirtova in the second round, eventually prevailing in straight sets, 6-4, 6-2.

The 28-year-old then defeated Xinyu Wang in the third round in three sets, 6-4, 2-6, 6-3. However, she was stunned in the quarterfinals by third seed Coco Gauff in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.

Maria Sakkari's most recent appearance was at the 2023 Zhengzhou Open, where she lost in the second round to Qinwen Zheng in straight sets, 6-7 (2), 3-6, after receiving a bye in the first round.