Greek star Maria Sakkari may only be ranked 101 in the world but she’s sure not to go down without a fight on Centre Court.
The 21-year-old hails from Sparta in Greece, which was famous for its complete focus on military excellence and training.
It’s something her coach, Mark Petchey, who previously helped Andy Murray into the top 50, has not failed to pick up on.
“He gives me a lot of advice,” said the 21-year-old. “I’m doing a lot of things different.
“He gives me the tactics before the match and then the last thing is he says, ‘Go out there, enjoy, fight, be a Spartan!’.
“He says it because my dad is from Sparta, that’s why. When he picks up the phone he says, ‘Hey Spartan!’.”
Sakkari said a victory would give a big lift to her homeland, which is in the grip of an economic depression.
“Now we are struggling as a country so these things make our people happy and lift them a little bit,” she said.
Meanwhile, Konta’s fellow Brit Heather Watson, who is ranked one place below Sakkari, bids to realise a dream today as she faces two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka.
Watson, who is ranked at 102 and is a wild card at SW19 this year, said: “It is been one of my goals forever to reach the second week of a slam. I made those big goals years ago.”
Azarenka, 27, from Belarus, is playing only her second tournament since giving birth to son Leo in December.
Few players try to make it back to the top after giving birth and Watson was full of admiration for her rival.
“You do not get to where she has got to in her career without being a really good player,” she said.
“I really respect how hard she works and how focused she is. She is an incredible player and person.”
Source: dailystar.co.uk