In a rare interview
Former rival Sabatini talks about her relationship with Steffi Graf
Updated 10/12/2025 – 3:49 p.mReading time: 3 minutes
Gabriela Sabatini and Steffi Graf gave each other nothing on the tennis court. In a rare interview, the Argentine talks about her current relationship with the German tennis legend.
During her active career, Gabriela Sabatini often despaired of Steffi Graf, but also experienced her greatest career triumph with her victory against the German in the final of the US Open in 1990. Today, the now 55-year-old Argentine lives in seclusion in Switzerland and rarely appears in public. In an interview with “Welt” she spoke about her relationship with the German tennis legend and how it has developed over the years.
“For me, Steffi was and is one of the greatest, if not the very greatest!” says Sabatini. “Although I had some bitter defeats against her, I am grateful to her. Because she brought out the best tennis in me. Our sporting rivalry also provided unforgettable moments that I still look back on fondly to this day.”
Sabatini describes the victory against Graf at the US Open as the “highlight of my career”. She had often come close to a Grand Slam title before, but then always failed. “The title at the US Open was the moment when all my work over the previous years finally paid off. I can’t describe the feeling,” said Sabatini.
When she thinks of Steffi Graf today, she still prefers to remember “her athletic and human greatness.” In general, she raves about the German: “She demanded an incredible amount of herself and thereby made everyone better. And I have also learned to appreciate her more and more in my private life over the years.” After her career ended, she got to know Graf better. “I really like her style. She is very down-to-earth and private. She lives for her family and the children.”
The two are still in touch today. “We talk on the phone every now and then – for example on our birthdays. We have decided to meet again as soon as possible,” reveals Sabatini.
Sabatini doesn’t hold any grudge against her ex-rival that she didn’t win any more Grand Slam titles during her career because of Graf. “When I was playing, it was annoying to be so often on the verge of winning the title and then not win it. But today I can say that I am totally satisfied with my career.”