Maria Sakkari targets ranking boost at Tokyo WTA 500

Maria Sakkari is preparing for the WTA 500 tournament in Tokyo, scheduled from 26 October to 1 November, which will serve as her final competitive stop for the 2026 season. Currently ranked world No. 31, the 31-year-old Greek player is aiming to break into the top 30 to secure a better position ahead of the 2027 Australian Open.

Sakkari has been conducting intensive training sessions in Dubai to prepare for the tournament. A strong performance in Tokyo is critical for her seeding prospects in Melbourne, as being among the top 32 seeded players would allow her to avoid other top-ranked opponents in the opening rounds of the first Grand Slam of the year.

The Tokyo tournament features a competitive field, including players such as Elena Rybakina, Naomi Osaka, and Belinda Bencic.