Argentine

Gabriela SABATINI

aka Gaby

An air of mystery has always hung over Gabriela Sabatini. 

A true icon of women's tennis in the 1980s and 1990s, the Argentine was discreet throughout her career, and ever since she retired in 1996, at just 26 years old. One must acknowledge that Gaby started young: Sabatini won the Juniors tournament at Roland-Garros in 1984 when she was 14, then played in her first "grown-up" semifinal in Paris the next year at all of 15 years old. Although she possessed qualities that surpassed all the best ‒ a varied game, outstanding technique, undeniable athleticism and a magnificent, fearsome one-handed backhand ‒ Sabatini never made it past the semis at the French Open. Legend has it that the Argentine was afraid of having to face the crowd and the media if she were to win. And yet the shy Sabatini did win a major: the U.S. Open in 1990. That made her the first South American in the Open Era to win a major tournament major. More importantly, it was sweet revenge for her to finally win against her biggest foe, Steffi Graf (40 matches, 29 of which were won by the German). In 1996, the weary Sabatini said goodbye. As discreetly as ever.

Current projects: Line of fragrance, association for disabled children

 

 

palmares

Titles

27

Finals

28

Higher ranking

1

WTA Singles, 27/02/1989

grand slam

victories

  • US Open (1): 1990

finals

  • Wimbledon (1): 1991

others

victories

  • Masters (2): 1988, 1994

finals

  • Masters (2): 1987, 1990
  • Silver medal, 1988 Séoul Olympic Games