ITF

ITFWorld // SPRING 2019 07 This year's recipient of the ITF's prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award is Gabriela Sabatini. The Argentinian is a Grand Slam winner and Olympic medallist, but there is so much more to Sabatini than her on-court achievements, as Sandra Harwitt finds out MANY TENNIS PLAYERS FIND RETIREMENT A DIFFICULT ADJUSTMENT, BUT GABRIELA SABATINI KNEW AT THE AGE OF 26 THAT SHE was ready to leave her playing days behind. Sabatini's 13-year stint in the spotlight crystallised into a Hall of Fame worthy career, which saw her enshrined at the Newport, RI Casino with fellow greats in 2006. The Argentinian turned pro at age 14, and by 15 started her decade-long Top 10-ranking that peaked at No. 3. She won her lone Grand Slam singles trophy – a prime career goal – at the 1990 US Open, captured the 1988 Olympic singles silver medal, the 1988 Wimbledon doubles prize, two year-end WTA titles, and an overall 27 singles and 14 doubles trophies. Sabatini, who still looks as fit as any contemporary player, has happily pursued real life since departing the WTA Tour in 1996. At a French bistro on Key Biscayne, Florida, where she's spent considerable time since she was a child, she sat down to share memories of her illustrious life. As Sabatini talks, it seems everyone on the island – those she knows and those she does not – feel perfectly comfortable approaching for a chat. "When I retired what I felt was, 'now I have all the time I want'," Sabatini said. "I would wake up and say, 'do I have to go and train?' and I would be, 'no, I don't have to go and train. I can do whatever I want.' That was very special. It was as simple as that. I wanted to be a more normal person. I felt this very strongly in me, to be a normal person, and discover life and whatever it has to offer." Although she admits it was a loss of some "passion" for tennis that prompted her to leave the game behind, she never disengaged from the sport. Throughout her retirement she's consistently supported the growth of tennis at home in Argentina and around the globe. Now, 23 years since Sabatini hit her final tennis ball as a professional, her on-court achievements and off-court pursuits deliver another prestigious accolade. Sabatini will receive the 2019 Philippe Chatrier Award, which is the highest honour the ITF bestows on an individual, at the annual ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris. "When you get an award for the career you spent your whole life in it's such a big honour," explained Sabatini. "It's especially nice because I'll be getting the award in Paris – it's a place that is special and I always loved playing there. It's such an important night where they give all the important awards. I'm very pleased and very honoured." BELOW: During her career, Sabatini made 11 appearances in the singles draw at Wimbledon BELOW: Sabatini claimed the Wimbledon doubles title in 1988 alongside Graf ITFWorld // SPRING 2019 07 ➝

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