Maria Sakkari and longtime coach Tom Hill end six-year partnership

The Greek ended her productive partnership with longtime coach Tom Hill after six years.

February 15, 2024

One of the longest-running high profile coach-player partnerships in women’s tennis came to an end on Thursday, as Maria Sakkari and Tom Hill announced their mutual split to the world.

Hill and Sakkari have worked together for six seasons, with the Greek reaching two major semi-finals in 2021 and rising to a career-high ranking of No 3 in 2022. Sakkari also won her maiden WTA 1000 title under Hill’s guidance last September in Guadalajara.

But 2024 has not been kind to the tandem. Sakkari will drop out of the top 10 for the first time in over two years in next Monday’s WTA rankings.

“Tom, Thank you for all the emotions, the support on and off the court, and the belief you had in me since day one,” 28-year-old Sakkari wrote in a social media post. “We grew together, and you helped me realize that everything is possible. Not only did you make me a better tennis player, but you also made me a better person. Thank you for always wanting the best for me and for always having my back!

“Good luck on the next chapter in your career.”

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Hill, one of the youngest coaches on tour at the age of 28, released the following statement:

“After 6 great years together, Maria and I are ending our professional partnership but will continue to remain close friends. Our journey has been filled with incredible achievements: climbing to a career high of world number 3, Grand Slam semifinals, a WTA 1000 title and 125 consecutive weeks in the Top 10. Maria is not only an incredible athlete but a great person. Working with Maria has been an absolute privilege and I am incredibly proud of what we have achieved together.”

Sakkari and Hill’s split is one of several big-name coach-player splits in 2024. Jessica Pegula called it quits with longtime coach David Witt, while Holger Rune and Boris Becker also split.