Gabriela Sabatini - "We Argentinians are known for being loud"
A few days ago Gabriela Sabatini celebrated her 50th birthday. In an interview with the WTA website, the Argentine looked back on her career.
by tennisnet.com
last edit: May 18, 2020, 10:11 am
Gabriela Sabatini may have been the loser in most sporting arguments with Steffi Graf. In terms of worldwide popularity, Sabatini could always compete with the German. As a virtual US Open tournament in mid-April has shown: there the fans were allowed to vote in direct duels of former winners in Flushing Meadows. And Sabatini won, almost 30 years after her greatest career triumph.
In an interview with the WTA website, Sabatini was naturally very pleased with this success. But also took a stand on many topics that they have followed over their careers.
Gabriela Sabatini on ...
... the worldwide support of Argentinian fans:
Obtaining this help helps a little bit in terms of motivation. But, we are known for being loud, like in the Davis Cup. Other players wanted to play in Argentina because they wanted to see something different. It was more like soccer than a tennis match. It is sometimes difficult to explain. Our players are very charismatic. You can feel it, but you can't explain it.
… Her first tennis trip abroad…
I think I went on my first big trip when I was 13 years old. At that time I was traveling with Mercedes Paz, who was four years older than me. We had the same coach who also planned the tour for us. I remember well because we were completely alone for a month. We were in South Africa for a week and then moved on to Europe and stayed there for another month until our coach came.
So it was just the two of us. We had a lot of difficulties. We went by train and missed our connections. We had these huge bags, I had an ear infection, Mercedes lost all of her money. Outside of the tennis court we felt really bad, but I was happy on the court. I could forget everything around.
... about their first meetings with the legends Chris Evert and Martina Navratilova ...
That was a big deal, of course. Because when I was little, all I heard about tennis was these two names: Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova. When I was allowed to play against her, it was like a dream. I couldn't believe I was on the pitch with them. You embodied tennis history and suddenly I stand in front of you. I tried not to think about it and just focus on The Match.
The whole interview with Gabriela Sabatini can be found here.