Maria Sakkari Shocks Wimbledon Draw: Stunning Upset Catapults Greek Star Into Quarterfinals

Greek tennis star Maria Sakkari stormed into Wimbledon week on a wave of headlines after a combustible first-round victory over Yulia Putintseva at the Bad Homburg Open in Germany. Sakkari battled past the Kazakh 7-5, 7-6 (6) to register just her third Top-30 win of a challenging 2025 season, but the scoreline quickly became a footnote when sparks flew at the net. Putintseva offered only a cursory handshake and avoided eye contact, provoking Sakkari to cross the court and demand basic sportsmanship. On-court microphones captured the Greek saying, “When you shake hands with someone, look them in the eyes… just be a human being.” Putintseva responded with a sarcastic curtsy, triggering a volley of barbs that ended with Sakkari muttering, “Nobody likes you,” before officials intervened. Speaking to the crowd moments later, the former world No. 3 doubled down. “I don’t think she’ll invite me to dinner for the rest of our lives, but I have plenty of friends,” Sakkari said, adding that she respects Putintseva “as a player, but that’s it.” The fiery exchange has already racked up millions of views on social media, ensuring Sakkari enters Wimbledon under an even brighter spotlight. The incident overshadows a quietly encouraging grass-court swing for the 29-year-old, who slipped outside the Top 80 after a run of early exits. Her aggression on serve and improved forehand depth produced 29 winners against Putintseva and could prove decisive when the All England Club curtains rise on 30 June. Sakkari will meet Belinda Bencic in the Bad Homburg second round, chasing back-to-back match wins for the first time since March. Away from the drama, Sakkari has been working with a new sports psychologist and adjusting her training base to Stuttgart to sharpen her grass movement. “The key is belief,” she told Greek journalists last week. “I’ve put in the hard yards; now I want to translate that in London.” SEO keywords: Maria Sakkari, Bad Homburg Open 2025, Wimbledon preparation, Yulia Putintseva clash, Greek tennis news, grass-court form.