Gabriela Sabatini: I never hated Steffi Graf: she is a spectacular person

While they had numerous close confrontations over their careers, former US Open winner Gabriela Sabatini claims she never loathed Steffi Graf and that the German ‘is a spectacular person.’ A few years prior, Graf had delivered the eulogy at Sabatini’s induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport.

In 1988, the two also claimed the Wimbledon doubles championship. In an interview with the German newspaper BILD on May 16, Sabatini was questioned if she had ever detested Graf. “Not at all. Steffi and I always had a rivalry on the tennis court, and I always claim that Steffi outperformed me in terms of my tennis skills.Roger Federer has liquidated his remarkable estate.
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She was a fierce competition, therefore I was fortunate to have her as a rival. Steffi was a very private person outside the square; each of us had our own tale to tell. When we stopped playing, we grew closer over time. I have always thought highly of Steffi; she is an amazing person.

Off the court, Sabatini claimed to have amicable relationships with the majority of her coworkers. “I was always a person who lived rivalry and confrontation on the court, but everything was fine outside,” Sabatini stated. Perhaps because Arantxa (Sanchez Vicario) had a tough mentality and gave you a fighting spirit until the very last point—a game in which everything came back—and because she ran to the final ball, I found it extremely difficult to play against her.

I found it challenging to play against Monica Seles as well. Beyond the field, I consistently maintained positive relationships with all individuals. Speaking of Martina Navratilova, a rival of hers during her playing career, Sabatini said that the tennis star has always been incredibly kind to her.

“Martina’s generosity has always been evident. Whenever she spoke, she would make remarks about my game or would prod me to keep going. With all the respect I had for Martina, it was imperative that she say something to me. I always felt a special bond with Martina because of her generosity in this regard.

I felt conflicted about their final game at Madison Square Garden, mainly because of what Martina meant to me. Although I felt there was an opportunity to perform well, I also didn’t want to be the one to defeat them in their previous game.

In actuality, Martina has always been incredibly giving, a superb athlete, and a wonderful person. I am always quite