Tennis is far more than just the squeaks of shoes on the court and the echoing thud of a perfectly struck ball. It’s about rising above challenges, breaking barriers, and forging friendships that transcend the heat of competition. One of the most cherished friendships in the sport is the one between Gabriela Sabatini and Steffi Graf, a duo who’ve shown the world that even the fiercest of rivals can become the best of friends.

Sabatini is one of those players who was known for remaining aloof. She was often regarded as an arrogant player as she barely greeted her opponents during her matches. But while the former Argentine player attributed these gestures to her shyness, there was one opponent with whom she developed a strong camaraderie, and it was none other than Graf. For a considerable period, Graf had an important role to play in Sabatini’s tennis career. 

Many believe that the Argentine star would not have gained the same fame if it was not for Graf, who always helped get the best out of her, be it through her presence on the opposite side of the court, or standing beside her for doubles matches. Interestingly, despite being the fiercest of rivals, the duo share a close bond even today.

Sabatini and Graf often stay in touch with each other over the phone. Similar sentiments were shared by Sabatini as well during one of her interviews with The Guardian, in which she featured seven years after hanging her racquets in 1996. Later when Sabatini was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006, the friendship between Sabatini and Graf was evident again.

The 1990 US Open winner had Graf as her presenter. Speaking during the induction ceremony, the former German tennis player acknowledged her close bond with Sabatini and termed her “very very special to me.” Further recalling her lively presence on the court, Graf said that the Argentine was “deeply important to tennis and to me.”

The friendship between Sabatini and Graf evolved in the backdrops of the sensational matches they played against each other. Sabatini had lost her first major final to Graf at the 1988 US Open. Besides, her sensational Olympic run in the same year met with a roadblock in the finals, as she conceded a defeat to Graf in the finals again, thereby clinching the silver medal.

But the Argentine was poised to avenge her loss. Two years later, she found Graf again in the US Open finals, but this time, Sabatini ensured the result went in her favor. Overall, they played 40 matches against each other, with the German star winning 29 of those. But the players have moved away from this fierce rivalry.

Engaging in interactions, the duo talks more than just tennis. “Once you retire, it’s nice to share other things, more the personal side. I think she’s a great person,” Sabatini said about her conversations with Graf in 2019, per WTA tennis.com. Interestingly, making friends is not Sabatini’s strength, by her own admission.

When Gabriela Sabatini revealed her difficulty in making friends

Gabriela Sabatini might have evolved away from tennis, but the records she created on the courts remain intact. Talking about her, one thing that often comes to limelight is her loneliness, as she often was seen aloof on the tennis courts. The star player herself had revealed this characteristic.

In an interview with The Guardian, Sabatini said, “It’s hard to make friends within the tour.” Continuing further,  she highlighted the individualistic nature of the sport. “It’s an individual sport – you play your match and you leave,” she said. Hence, her friendship with Graf truly stands out.

But interestingly, many have defined Sabatini as a person with a charismatic appearance with the New York Times observing that “Had there been an award for congeniality, she (Sabatini) would have won that”. Even Serena Williams shared similar things about her. Recalling her first impression of Sabatini, Williams lauded her elegance. “Gabriela wasn’t built like the other girls on the tour; she was big and powerful, almost majestic. I kept staring at her and wondering if I would ever be that tall, that graceful, that powerful.”

Sabatini is once again back on the courts. As she gears up for the mixed doubles exhibition match at the US Open alongside Juan Martin Del Potro against Caroline Wozniacki and Andy Roddick, it would be interesting to see if she once again shows her prolific elegance on the court.