Gabriela Sabatini deliberately lost tennis matches to avoid reporters!

Gabriela Sabatini deliberately lost tennis matches to avoid reporters!

The winner of the 1990 US Open, Gabriela Sabatini was widely regarded as one of the most talented and charismatic players of the 1980s and 1990s.

Former tennis star Gabriela Sabatini says she deliberately lost matches in her youth to avoid interacting with Press reporters. In comments published on Friday, the former world No. 3 Argentine said: “When I was younger and thought that I had to talk after winning a tournament, I often lost in the semifinals so I did not have to. It was that bad!” Sabatini told the Argentine newspaper La Nacion.

“I was very introverted. I had some issues at school because I was very inward-looking,” she said. Now 43, Sabatini, who has a range of perfumes named after her, said her shyness was a major problem. “I got very nervous at that point. But at the same time I was very competitive and I got frustrated when I did not win,” she said. “I might lose the first set, when I was little, and I gave up on the match just because I was so angry that I could not bear having lost the first set.”

The winner of the 1990 US Open was widely regarded as one of the most talented and sexiest players of the 1980s and 1990s. Sabatini’s rivalry with Steffi Graf made tennis headlines but the Argentine never became the world No. 1. “I think my fame and my public profile had something to do with the fact that I did not become world number one. To be so famous would also have been a problem if I had been world number one,” Sabatini said.

“I loved playing tennis. I loved it since the first day I grabbed a racket, I was crazy about it. One never knows what comes behind that or with that. I loved to play, I was competitive, I wanted to win, that was all I knew. In the first few years tennis is a game. Later, it becomes a job,” Sabatini said.

Sabatini, who retired in 1996, lives in Buenos Aires and often travels to Europe and the United States to promote her line of perfumes and other businesses.

Ana Ivanovic, the Dream Girl of Tennis

There have been few women in tennis who have had a great game and court domination to go along with their arresting looks. There was Gabriela Sabatini, there is Maria Sharapova but Serbia’s Ana Ivanovic is someone who is also regarded among tennis fans as being one of the most pleasing personalities on the tour.

Ashish Maggo

Ana Ivanovic of Serbia celebrates during the women’s singles match against Zheng Jie of China at the All England Lawn Tennis Championships in Wimbledon, London, Thursday, June 26, 2014.© AP

When Serbian tennis sensation Ana Ivanovic won the 2008 French Open title to become the new World No.1, she left the title of the new ‘pin-up girl’ of tennis far behind. Although Ana has not been able to win another Grand Slam title since then, she still has the same edge in her game and is only getting better. After all, she beat World No.1 Serena Williams this year at the Australian Open, someone who most women on the WTA tour consider unbeatable even at 32. Â

Whether she will ever win another one of those major titles or whether she will again enjoy the World No.1 ranking is debatable but the charm and beauty that Ana brings with her game is something that can never be taken away from her.

There have been few women in tennis who have had a great game and court domination to go along with their arresting looks. There was Gabriela Sabatini, there is Maria Sharapova but Ana is someone who is also regarded among tennis fans as being one of the most pleasing personalities on the tour. Wherever she goes, she makes friends with people almost instantly and can spare time within the most gruelling of schedules, even if she is sometimes having to play two matches a day because of rain interruptions.

In Birmingham recently, where she won her first grass-court title, Ana could be seen enjoying a game of cricket at the local county club along with her tennis tour friend Donna Vekic. Not only were there smiles exchanged between whoever came in contact with Ana, a huge amount of fans had gathered to catch a glimpse of the heart-throb and to see whether she could play a few cricket shots. She sure did delight every one of them.

When she is not playing tennis or not posing for sizzling photo shoots and calendars, Ana also enjoys a wide variety of books.

“I am beginning to enjoy fashion more and more. I would love to get a little bit more involved in that side. I love reading and watching movies too, but mostly just reading,” Ana recently told the London Evening Standard.

“I like reading everything, apart from science fiction and horror. Everything else because I like psychology and philosophy, I have to keep my brain occupied definitely,” she said.

During her career, Ana has faced the toughest of circumstances to reach where she has. Just like her friend and compatriot Novak Djokovic has admitted to facing tough times due to war, Ana used to train in a pool in winters because there were no tennis facilities. During the NATO bombing of Yugoslavia, Ana had to train during the mornings to avoid danger from the bombardments.

And then, Ana has had her share of heartbreaks. She has dated some of the most high-profile names in tennis and beyond. Her relationship with Spanish heart-throb Fernando Verdasco was one of the most talked about but that didn’t end on a very happy note.

In fact, at the Hopman Cup in 2013, which is a one-of-a-kind mixed doubles country competition organised by ITF, Ana had to swallow the bitter pill of losing to her boyfriend in a mixed doubles deciding final tie, where she was partnering World No. 2 Djokovic of Serbia.

She still hits balls with the same intensity and the same sweetness though and Ana’s fans have marked their presence in huge numbers on all kinds of social networking platforms.

At Wimbledon this year, Ana has looked good so far after beating Francesca Schiavone of Italy and Chinese player Zheng Jie in the first and second rounds respectively, all in a matter of straight sets.

Best of luck Ana! We are all with you!

Star Gabriela Sabatini’s Statue Left Empty-Handed by Vandals

A statue of Gabriela Sabatini, the only Argentine to have won a Grand Slam singles title, was ruined by vandals. They stole the tennis raquet from the statue.

Statue of Argentina’s Gabriela Sabatini after the tennis raquet from her hand was stolen.© AFP

Buenos Aires:

Perhaps it was meant as a backhanded compliment.

Vandals have made off with the racket that was clasped in the hands of a newly unveiled statue of Argentine tennis star Gabriela Sabatini in Buenos Aires.

The miscreants left the artwork looking rather empty-handed just a few weeks after it was made public on the Rio de la Plata waterfront.

They severed the bronze-colored racket that was formerly clasped tightly in the statue’s hands, leaving Sabatini sans racket as she lines up for a backhand smash.

The statue is located among other tributes to Argentine sporting greats, such as tennis player Guillermo Vilas and basketball player Manu Ginobili.

Officials are also planning statues of several other sporting stars including soccer gods Lionel Messi and Diego Maradona, and the golfer Roberto de Vicenzo.

The work by artist Carlos Benavidez was made with polyester resin and fiberglass, then reinforced with various paints, inks and oils that look like bronze and protect the statue from the weather.

During her 11 years as a pro, Sabatini, now 44, won 27 titles including the US Open, when she beat Steffi Graf in 1990.

She is the only Argentine to have won a Grand Slam singles title.

Shocking news: Gabriela Sabatini was arrested in a heartfelt story for her involvement in a…..Read more

Gabriela Sabatini: A Heartfelt Story Takes a Turn

In a twist that has shocked fans and followers, tennis legend Gabriela Sabatini has been arrested. Known for her grace on and off the court, Sabatini’s involvement in this unexpected incident has left many in disbelief.

Gabriela Sabatini, once a symbol of athletic prowess and elegance, now finds herself at the center of a legal storm. The former Argentine tennis star, who captured hearts worldwide with her stellar performances and sportsmanship, is facing serious allegations. The nature of these allegations remains unclear, but the impact on her image is profound.

Throughout her career, Sabatini was celebrated not only for her achievements but also for her philanthropic efforts and dedication to various charitable causes. Her arrest is a stark contrast to the persona she built over decades. Friends and colleagues have expressed their shock and sadness, describing Sabatini as a person of integrity and kindness.

As the story unfolds, details about the incident and Sabatini’s involvement are expected to emerge. Legal experts suggest that this case could take several turns before reaching a resolution. In the meantime, Sabatini’s fans remain hopeful that the truth will ultimately clear her name.

The world will be watching closely as this heartfelt story continues to develop, hoping for a resolution that aligns with the grace and dignity Gabriela Sabatini has always exemplified.

Steffi Graf’s epic reaction to Wimbledon fan’s shock proposal before Andre Agassi marriage

A fan proposed to the legendary tennis player in 1996 

Megan Bull

Steffi Graf was game for a proposal after a fan popped the question at Wimbledon. Back in 1996, the tennis star played along when a spectator shouted “Steffi, will you marry me?” on Centre Court.

Taking the proposal in her stride, Steffi – who was in the middle of a semi-final match with Kimiko Date – had an epic response. “How much money do you have?” she quipped, sending the crowds into hysterics. Click the video below for a glimpse of the iconic moment…

Steffi Graf responds to fan’s marriage proposal at Wimbledon

While Steffi went on to lose the match, the tennis star remained in good spirits and joked that the proposal had thrown her off. “I lost the game, so I think I’ll ask for a divorce now,” she said, per the New York Times.

Forever immortalised, Steffi’s witty response came five years before her real-life marriage to fellow tennis champion and Olympic gold medalist, Andre Agassi. Introduced at Wimbledon in 1992, the couple didn’t start dating until 1999.

© Ethan Miller

Steffi married fellow tennis champion Andre Agassi in 2001

By 2001, Andre and Steffi had tied the knot in a low-key ceremony at their house. That same year their son, Jaden Gil Agassi, was born in October, and by 2003, the couple had welcomed their daughter, Jaz Elle Agassi.

Well-accustomed to the spotlight, Steffi and Andre are pros at interacting with fans, and when Steffi received another proposal at the 2024 Cluj exhibition, she and her husband took it in their stride.

In a hilarious moment, Steffi declined the proposal, wagging her finger at the spectator before pointing to Andre who was just a few feet away.

While Steffi and Andre are notoriously private when it comes to their relationship, the couple have spoken about one another in interviews. Back in March 2024, Andre joined E!, where he opened up about their marriage. “We love cooking together. We love hiking together. We love even grocery shopping together, dividing and conquering. So it’s real life. And we’re blessed,” he began.

© JLN Photography/Shutterstock

Andre has revealed the secrets to their 23-year marriage

Asked for the secret to their marriage, Andre replied: “Choose wisely. No, I mean, I think it’s like success in life or in anything you do. I think there’s a determination you have to be in the most of yourself, in balance of the most of what somebody needs from you, giving what it is you have to give and not attempting to give what you don’t.

“There’s a respect, there’s a discipline, there’s a commitment,” he continued. “And then you need two that are doing that, everything else will get in balance. And we work on it every day, and I’ll never stop.”

 The 10 Greatest Wimbledon Players of All Time

Wimbledon, the oldest and most prestigious tennis tournament, has seen countless legends grace its grass courts. From the era-defining champions of the past to the modern-day greats, Wimbledon has been the stage for some of the most memorable moments in tennis history. Here, we celebrate the ten greatest Wimbledon players of all time, whose exceptional skills and achievements have left an indelible mark on the tournament.

1. Roger Federer
Roger Federer is often referred to as the “King of Grass.” With a record eight Wimbledon titles to his name, Federer’s elegance and precision on the court have made him a favorite at the All England Club. His epic battles, especially against Rafael Nadal, have become a significant part of Wimbledon lore.

2. Steffi Graf
Steffi Graf’s dominance in the late 1980s and early 1990s solidified her place among the Wimbledon greats. With seven Wimbledon titles, Graf’s powerful forehand and athleticism allowed her to dominate her opponents. Her Golden Slam in 1988, where she won all four Grand Slam titles and the Olympic gold medal, remains a remarkable achievement in tennis history.

3. Pete Sampras
Pete Sampras, with his formidable serve-and-volley game, was nearly unbeatable on grass. Winning seven Wimbledon titles in the 1990s, Sampras set a then-record for most men’s singles titles at the tournament. His rivalry with Andre Agassi provided fans with some unforgettable matches.

4. Serena Williams
Serena Williams’ power and athleticism have made her a formidable force on grass courts. With seven Wimbledon titles, Serena’s dominance in the 21st century is unmatched. Her ability to rise to the occasion and deliver under pressure has made her one of the all-time greats in tennis.

5. Björn Borg
Björn Borg’s cool demeanor and exceptional baseline play earned him five consecutive Wimbledon titles from 1976 to 1980. His rivalry with John McEnroe, particularly their 1980 final, is considered one of the greatest matches in tennis history. Borg’s influence on the game remains significant even today.

6. Martina Navratilova

Martina Navratilova’s name is synonymous with Wimbledon success. Winning a record nine women’s singles titles, Navratilova’s versatility and skill on grass were unparalleled. Her intense rivalry with Chris Evert added extra excitement to the tournament during their era.

7. Rafael Nadal
Rafael Nadal, known primarily for his clay-court prowess, has also made a significant impact at Wimbledon. With two titles, Nadal’s tenacity and never-give-up attitude have led to some of the most thrilling matches at the tournament, including his legendary 2008 final against Federer.

8. Rod Laver
Rod Laver, the only player to win two calendar-year Grand Slams, was a formidable competitor at Wimbledon. With four titles to his name, Laver’s all-court game and sportsmanship have made him an enduring icon in tennis.

9. Venus Williams
Venus Williams, with five Wimbledon titles, has been a dominant force in women’s tennis for over two decades. Her powerful serve and graceful movement on grass have made her a perennial contender at the All England Club.

10. Billie Jean King
Billie Jean King’s impact on and off the court is legendary. With six singles titles at Wimbledon, King’s aggressive play and pioneering efforts for gender equality in sports have cemented her legacy as one of the greatest and most influential players in tennis history.

These ten players have not only achieved remarkable success at Wimbledon but have also contributed to the rich history and tradition of this prestigious tournament. Their performances have inspired generations of tennis players and fans alike, making Wimbledon the iconic event it is today.