“It Was Pure Coincidence” – Gabriela Sabatini on Meeting Roger Federer in Switzerland

World Number four Roger Federer looked up to Gabriela Sabatini during his amateur tour days. He followed Sabatini’s matches against her rivals Steffi Graff and Martina Hingis. And a few weeks ago Federer also tweeted out saying Gaby is the ‘nicest person and wonderful player.’

Federer is a big fan of the WTA Tour, and Sabatini is one of his favorites. “Gabriela Sabatini for me was like one of my favorite players growing up. I watched her rivalry with Steffi Graf and then Martina Hingis came, she also played Gaby,” he said in 2019, during his trip to Argentina.

Gabriela Sabatini’s message to Roger Federer

Recently, former US Open champion, Sabatini, opened up on her coincidental encounter with Federer on the streets of Zurich. Roger was spending time with Mirka and his twin daughters, and Gaby happened to run into them. 

“Obviously I admire Roger Federer. It is a pleasure to see him play. When we met once in the streets of downtown Zurich, it was a total coincidence,” Sabatini told Argentine newspaper La Nacion recently

“But it happened. I happened to be walking along Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s main street, and he was there with his wife and daughters. That was a few years ago. It was pure coincidence, although we are always in contact.”

When Federer went to Argentina (a long time ago), he met Sabatini at her place. “When he came to Buenos Aires, he visited me. I really admire him very much. I had the chance to get to know you,” she said.  Also, she prepared dinner for Federer and his team.

Last year, the Swiss maestro played a series of exhibition matches during his tour of South America, but the two could not meet then. Instead, Sabatini sent him a video message.

Sabatini also spoke about versatility in the women’s game and she sang the praises of  Ashleigh Barty,  Coco Gauff, and Bianca Andreescu.

Read More – US Open Champion Praises Coco Gauff’s Temperament