I’m a former US Open champion.. now I have my own perfume line and my niece dates Lionel Messi’s team-mate
pGABRIELA Sabatini#8217;s 1990 US Open victory over Steffi Graf has quickly become an iconic Flushing Meadows moment./p
pThe Argentine burst onto the tennis scene at just 15 at Roland Garros five years earlier, belying her tender age to reach the semi-finals./p
figure id=attachment_23689726 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 668pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/f789de27-e505-4633-9180-88dab873c87c.jpg?strip=allamp;w=658 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689726 width=658 height=960 /figcaption class=wp-caption-textGabriela Sabatini won the US Open in 1990/figcaptionfigcreditReuters/figcredit/figure
figure id=attachment_23689727 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/gabriela-sabatini-shows-off-new-839670321.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689727 width=960 height=638 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureSabatini, now 53, went on to release her own perfume line[/caption]
pDespite being beaten by Chris Evert in the final four, Sabatini immediately looked destined for the top./p
pBut over and over again throughout the following years the same person would get in her way: Steffi Graf./p
pThe formidable German beat Sabatini in the 1988 US Open final and again in the following year#8217;s semis at Flushing Meadows./p
pIn Grand Slams, Graf beat Sabatini 11 times out of 12 during their careers, a formidable record./p
pThe one time her rival managed to win? In the 1990 US Open finals./p
p#8220;It was the most important moment in my tennis career,#8221; Sabatini told a aria-label=Swiss Life (opens in a new tab) href=https://www.swisslife.com/en/home/blog/interview-gabriela-sabatini.html target=_blank rel=noreferrer noopenerSwiss Life/a decades later./p
p#8220;After all the years of effort and dedication, my dream came true. I could never have imagined such joy and feeling of liberation and I began to enjoy the tennis even more.#8221;/p
pAmazingly Sabatini never felt resentful towards Graf, instead crediting her rival for making her a better player./p
pShe added: #8220;Steffi was a stroke of luck for me. She got the best out of my tennis and was a very decent, reserved person off court. Over the years, when we stopped playing tennis, a friendship developed.#8221;/p
pHaving won the US Open at 20 years old, many would have expected Sabatini to go on to win plenty more majors./p
pBut despite going deep in a number of slams over the following few years, she eventually lost the desire to compete #8211; retiring at just 26./p
pAsked if she had any regrets over hanging up her racquet so early, she later reflected: #8220;No. I had already been on the pro tour for twelve years and felt very tired and unmotivated. When I woke up, I thought: #8216;Now I have to train again, even though I don’t really want to.#8217;/p
p#8220;I talked to a psychologist and over time I realized: #8216;Enough is enough.#8217; I have always listened to my inner conviction in life – and this is self-determination too. And that’s why I’m at peace with my decisions.#8221;/p
pSabatini, whose popularity on the tour even led to a rose being named after her in 1992, went on to develop her own perfume line #8211; which still thrives to this day./p
pShe knew this is what she would want to achieve after her playing days, even if it came a little earlier than expected./p
figure id=attachment_23689728 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 619pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/gabriela-sabatini-action-wimbledon-day-2576155.jpg?strip=allamp;w=609 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689728 width=609 height=960 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditNews Group Newspapers Ltd/figcredit/figureThe one-time major winner retired at 26 years old[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689730 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/former-tennis-player-gabriela-sabatini-839670598.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689730 width=960 height=640 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureSabatini is a much-beloved figure in Argentina[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689733 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/pierre-gasly-france-alpine-f1-839670546.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689733 width=960 height=640 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureThe former tennis star loves sports in general and has attended F1[/caption]
pOn life after tennis, the 53-year-old said: #8220;What helped me was knowing exactly what I wanted to do after my sports career: expand my perfume line and make it internationally known./p
p#8220;My father, a former General Motors manager, supported me in this. In the meantime, my brand also includes watches and a fashion collection.#8221;/p
pIn the decades since hanging up her racquet, Sabatini has returned to the tennis scene./p
pShe has recently appeared at legends#8217; events at grand slams, and even partnered Rafael Nadal for mixed doubles during the Spaniard#8217;s exhibition tour of South America last year./p
pOn the experience of playing with the 22-time major champion, Sabatini told a aria-label=Clay (opens in a new tab) href=https://www.claytenis.com/en/moreclay/gabriela-sabatini-rafael-nadal-roland-garros/ target=_blank rel=noreferrer noopenerClay/a: #8220;The exhibition in Buenos Aires with Rafa and Casper [Ruud], that made me keep playing. And I kept playing, they invited us again this year for the exhibition here, we accepted. And, yes, you feel better and better.#8221;/p
figure id=attachment_23689734 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/spains-rafael-nadal-doubles-partner-839669206.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689734 width=960 height=640 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditAP/figcredit/figureSabatini partnered Rafael Nadal during an exhibition event[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689735 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/argentine-tennis-player-gabriela-sabatini-839668682.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689735 width=960 height=638 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditAFP/figcredit/figureSabatini#8217;s match with Nadal took place in Buenos Aires[/caption]
pSabatini remains idolized by players, particularly those from Argentina, to this day./p
pShe is in close contact with former top 10 star Diego Schwartzman, who has gushed over her in the past./p
pAsked about her by a aria-label=Tennis Magazine (opens in a new tab) href=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/diego-schwartzman-gabriela-sabatini-argentina-idol-olympics-wimbledon target=_blank rel=noreferrer noopenerTennis Magazine/a at Wimbledon in 2021, El Peque said: #8220;She’s one of the idols of Argentina. It’s nice. We have a very good relationship with her./p
p#8220;We talk many times after my matches and after tournaments. She’s not living in Argentina full-time #8211; she stays there a few months out of the year #8211; so we’re not seeing each other too much in person./p
p#8220;We talk through social media and Whatsapp with the phone, it’s good to have contact with her.#8221;/p
pSabatini also has a famous niece; Argentine singer, model and actress Oriana./p
pThe 27-year-old has had multiple top 10 hits in Argentina, charting as high as No. 2./p
pShe also dates soccer star Paulo Dybala, who was part of Lionel Messi#8217;s World Cup-winning Argentina squad last year./p
pThe couple have been together since 2018, and a href=http://the-sun.com/sport/football/premier-league/2596611/paulo-dybala-oriana-deleted-tiktok/entertained fans with their TikTok videos/a during the pandemic./p
pAs for the upcoming US Open, Sabatini will presumably be supporting her fellow Argentines./p
pBut outside of her compatriots? Sabatini believes in a rising Czech star, and a flashy Frenchwoman./p
pShe said: #8220;I like Karolina Muchova a lot. Her game, her temperament. And also Caroline Garcia, I really like the way she plays.#8221;/p
figure id=attachment_23689737 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 650pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/oriana-sabatini-paulo-dybala-seen-839669864.jpg?strip=allamp;w=640 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689737 width=640 height=960 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureOriana Sabatini is dating soccer player Paulo Dybala[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689738 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/d5ece5fb-6615-4d29-ba4a-97dc863025e7.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689738 width=960 height=664 /figcaption class=wp-caption-textFormer tennis star Sabatini played in the legends#8217; event at Roland Garros this year/figcaptionfigcreditRex/figcredit/figure
figure id=attachment_23689741 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/former-argentine-tennis-player-gabriela-839670594.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689741 width=960 height=715 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureShe still receives an amazing reception at any sporting event in Argentina[/caption]
pThe Argentine burst onto the tennis scene at just 15 at Roland Garros five years earlier, belying her tender age to reach the semi-finals./p
figure id=attachment_23689726 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 668pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/f789de27-e505-4633-9180-88dab873c87c.jpg?strip=allamp;w=658 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689726 width=658 height=960 /figcaption class=wp-caption-textGabriela Sabatini won the US Open in 1990/figcaptionfigcreditReuters/figcredit/figure
figure id=attachment_23689727 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/gabriela-sabatini-shows-off-new-839670321.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689727 width=960 height=638 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureSabatini, now 53, went on to release her own perfume line[/caption]
pDespite being beaten by Chris Evert in the final four, Sabatini immediately looked destined for the top./p
pBut over and over again throughout the following years the same person would get in her way: Steffi Graf./p
pThe formidable German beat Sabatini in the 1988 US Open final and again in the following year#8217;s semis at Flushing Meadows./p
pIn Grand Slams, Graf beat Sabatini 11 times out of 12 during their careers, a formidable record./p
pThe one time her rival managed to win? In the 1990 US Open finals./p
p#8220;It was the most important moment in my tennis career,#8221; Sabatini told a aria-label=Swiss Life (opens in a new tab) href=https://www.swisslife.com/en/home/blog/interview-gabriela-sabatini.html target=_blank rel=noreferrer noopenerSwiss Life/a decades later./p
p#8220;After all the years of effort and dedication, my dream came true. I could never have imagined such joy and feeling of liberation and I began to enjoy the tennis even more.#8221;/p
pAmazingly Sabatini never felt resentful towards Graf, instead crediting her rival for making her a better player./p
pShe added: #8220;Steffi was a stroke of luck for me. She got the best out of my tennis and was a very decent, reserved person off court. Over the years, when we stopped playing tennis, a friendship developed.#8221;/p
pHaving won the US Open at 20 years old, many would have expected Sabatini to go on to win plenty more majors./p
pBut despite going deep in a number of slams over the following few years, she eventually lost the desire to compete #8211; retiring at just 26./p
pAsked if she had any regrets over hanging up her racquet so early, she later reflected: #8220;No. I had already been on the pro tour for twelve years and felt very tired and unmotivated. When I woke up, I thought: #8216;Now I have to train again, even though I don’t really want to.#8217;/p
p#8220;I talked to a psychologist and over time I realized: #8216;Enough is enough.#8217; I have always listened to my inner conviction in life – and this is self-determination too. And that’s why I’m at peace with my decisions.#8221;/p
pSabatini, whose popularity on the tour even led to a rose being named after her in 1992, went on to develop her own perfume line #8211; which still thrives to this day./p
pShe knew this is what she would want to achieve after her playing days, even if it came a little earlier than expected./p
figure id=attachment_23689728 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 619pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/gabriela-sabatini-action-wimbledon-day-2576155.jpg?strip=allamp;w=609 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689728 width=609 height=960 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditNews Group Newspapers Ltd/figcredit/figureThe one-time major winner retired at 26 years old[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689730 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/former-tennis-player-gabriela-sabatini-839670598.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689730 width=960 height=640 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureSabatini is a much-beloved figure in Argentina[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689733 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/pierre-gasly-france-alpine-f1-839670546.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689733 width=960 height=640 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureThe former tennis star loves sports in general and has attended F1[/caption]
pOn life after tennis, the 53-year-old said: #8220;What helped me was knowing exactly what I wanted to do after my sports career: expand my perfume line and make it internationally known./p
p#8220;My father, a former General Motors manager, supported me in this. In the meantime, my brand also includes watches and a fashion collection.#8221;/p
pIn the decades since hanging up her racquet, Sabatini has returned to the tennis scene./p
pShe has recently appeared at legends#8217; events at grand slams, and even partnered Rafael Nadal for mixed doubles during the Spaniard#8217;s exhibition tour of South America last year./p
pOn the experience of playing with the 22-time major champion, Sabatini told a aria-label=Clay (opens in a new tab) href=https://www.claytenis.com/en/moreclay/gabriela-sabatini-rafael-nadal-roland-garros/ target=_blank rel=noreferrer noopenerClay/a: #8220;The exhibition in Buenos Aires with Rafa and Casper [Ruud], that made me keep playing. And I kept playing, they invited us again this year for the exhibition here, we accepted. And, yes, you feel better and better.#8221;/p
figure id=attachment_23689734 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/spains-rafael-nadal-doubles-partner-839669206.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689734 width=960 height=640 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditAP/figcredit/figureSabatini partnered Rafael Nadal during an exhibition event[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689735 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/argentine-tennis-player-gabriela-sabatini-839668682.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689735 width=960 height=638 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditAFP/figcredit/figureSabatini#8217;s match with Nadal took place in Buenos Aires[/caption]
pSabatini remains idolized by players, particularly those from Argentina, to this day./p
pShe is in close contact with former top 10 star Diego Schwartzman, who has gushed over her in the past./p
pAsked about her by a aria-label=Tennis Magazine (opens in a new tab) href=https://www.tennis.com/news/articles/diego-schwartzman-gabriela-sabatini-argentina-idol-olympics-wimbledon target=_blank rel=noreferrer noopenerTennis Magazine/a at Wimbledon in 2021, El Peque said: #8220;She’s one of the idols of Argentina. It’s nice. We have a very good relationship with her./p
p#8220;We talk many times after my matches and after tournaments. She’s not living in Argentina full-time #8211; she stays there a few months out of the year #8211; so we’re not seeing each other too much in person./p
p#8220;We talk through social media and Whatsapp with the phone, it’s good to have contact with her.#8221;/p
pSabatini also has a famous niece; Argentine singer, model and actress Oriana./p
pThe 27-year-old has had multiple top 10 hits in Argentina, charting as high as No. 2./p
pShe also dates soccer star Paulo Dybala, who was part of Lionel Messi#8217;s World Cup-winning Argentina squad last year./p
pThe couple have been together since 2018, and a href=http://the-sun.com/sport/football/premier-league/2596611/paulo-dybala-oriana-deleted-tiktok/entertained fans with their TikTok videos/a during the pandemic./p
pAs for the upcoming US Open, Sabatini will presumably be supporting her fellow Argentines./p
pBut outside of her compatriots? Sabatini believes in a rising Czech star, and a flashy Frenchwoman./p
pShe said: #8220;I like Karolina Muchova a lot. Her game, her temperament. And also Caroline Garcia, I really like the way she plays.#8221;/p
figure id=attachment_23689737 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 650pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/oriana-sabatini-paulo-dybala-seen-839669864.jpg?strip=allamp;w=640 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689737 width=640 height=960 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureOriana Sabatini is dating soccer player Paulo Dybala[/caption]
figure id=attachment_23689738 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/d5ece5fb-6615-4d29-ba4a-97dc863025e7.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689738 width=960 height=664 /figcaption class=wp-caption-textFormer tennis star Sabatini played in the legends#8217; event at Roland Garros this year/figcaptionfigcreditRex/figcredit/figure
figure id=attachment_23689741 class=wp-caption alignnone style=width: 970pximg decoding=async loading=lazy src=https://www.the-sun.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/6/2023/08/former-argentine-tennis-player-gabriela-839670594.jpg?strip=allamp;w=960 alt= class=alignnone size-thesun-article-image wp-image-23689741 width=960 height=715 /figcaption class=wp-caption-text/figcaptionfigcreditGetty/figcredit/figureShe still receives an amazing reception at any sporting event in Argentina[/caption]