Top-50 Greek tennis up to the moms

How does Greece have a two players in the top 50?

Well, it’s a mom thing.

For Barcelona finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas, it’s Russian-born Julija Salnikova Apostoli, now 53. She played for her native Russia, then Greece after her marriage to Tsitsipas’s father/coach Apostolos.

For Sakkari, it’s mother Angeliki Kanellopoulou, 52. Kanellopoulou reached a career best singles ranking of No. 43 … exactly 30 years ago.

On Monday, Tsitsipas sits at No. 44.

As for Sakkari, her semifinal in Istanbul meant she squeezed past her mom – by one spot.

But Sakkari doesn’t have a commercial – at least not yet.

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Stephanie Myles

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