ITF

ITFWorld // SPRING 2019 11 But when she arrived in New York everything clicked. In her latter two matches on the road to victory – against Mary Joe Fernandez in the semifinals and Steffi Graf in the final – she played with an atypical aggressive abandonment. "It was the best moment of my tennis career, by far," she said, flashing a smile. "I always tell this story. The first day of the US Open, I tried to fall asleep but I couldn't without seeing the trophy in my hand. That was something I never felt before. "I started to come to the net when I played Mary Joe and Steffi, and I think it surprised them because they didn't expect that. I would practice that with my coach but I never executed it. Something happened there and I said, 'now is the time to come to the net,' and I did every single time, every shot. "That last point I hit was just like touching heaven," she added, remembering the championship moment as if it was yesterday and not 28 years ago. On her trophy shelf at her Buenos Aires home, the US Open trophy has the place of honour directly in the middle. Right next to it is the silver medal that draped her neck at the1988 Seoul Olympics, which was the first time tennis had appeared at the Olympic Games as a full medal sport since 1924. Sabatini's Olympic experience was enhanced by sharing the experience with other Olympic athletes from Argentina, and it was those fellow competitors who voted she should carry the Argentina flag at the Opening Ceremony. "Having so many athletes from your own country pick you, I could not believe it," she said. "It was so emotional and such a different experience and feeling from anything I'd felt before." Sabatini said she felt a similar sensation last summer when she joined countryman David Nalbandian as an Athlete Role Model at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games. "I was so excited," Sabatini said. "Argentina needed to have this kind of thing take place at home – that vibration through sport. I got to see all these young athletes competing. I got to speak to many of them. They were so excited to have this competition and in that way I saw no difference between the Youth Olympics and regular Olympics because they had the same feeling, they wanted to give everything for their country." The Youth Olympic Games also provided Sabatini with a special family moment. Oriana, the oldest of her two nieces, is a famous Argentinian singer simply known by her first name. Oriana headlined a concert during the Games and that would be the first time Aunt Gaby saw her perform live. Another career milestone for Sabatini took place when she featured in the first five-set match played by women since 1901. Although she lost the final match at the 1990 WTA year-end championships to Monica Seles 6-4 5-7 3-6 6-4 6-2, the opportunity to compete in such a unique encounter remains an indelible memory. "I was mentally so into it I didn't feel my body," recalled Sabatini, of what she was feeling during the match. "Monica and me, we both played great tennis. When I finished the match I went to the locker room and I couldn't even stand up. I relaxed and I couldn't even walk. I was like, 'oh my God, now I feel the pain.'" Sabatini has kept in touch with a number of players who were her closest rivals in the sport: Graf, Fernandez, Mary Pierce, Iva Majoli and Jennifer Capriati. In fact, she selected Graf to be the person to introduce her during her Hall of Fame induction service. "I think you always dream to stay in the history of what your career was," Sabatini said. "When I was elected it was a very big celebration. It was a special day because I chose Steffi to speak for me. We were such big rivals and we're now friends." While many would characterise Sabatini as shy during her playing days, she has matured to being more comfortable with her fame once she became a more private citizen. And now, only a year away from her 50th birthday, she willingly – and eagerly – embraces her persona as a role model for fans around the world. "It's something that just comes that people look up to you," Sabatini said. "It's a responsibility. Sport means not only being a good tennis player but also being a humble, respectful, responsible person." ■ BELOW: On court with potential future stars at the Youth Olympic Games LEFT: Sabatini was an Athlete Role Model at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games in Buenos Aires

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