I’m a former US Open champion.. now I have my own perfume line and my niece dates Lionel Messi’s team-mate
GABRIELA Sabatini's 1990 US Open victory over Steffi Graf has quickly become an iconic Flushing Meadows moment.
The Argentine burst onto the tennis scene at just 15 at Roland Garros five years earlier, belying her tender age to reach the semi-finals.
Despite being beaten by Chris Evert in the final four, Sabatini immediately looked destined for the top.
But over and over again throughout the following years the same person would get in her way: Steffi Graf.
The formidable German beat Sabatini in the 1988 US Open final and again in the following year's semis at Flushing Meadows.
In Grand Slams, Graf beat Sabatini 11 times out of 12 during their careers, a formidable record.
The one time her rival managed to win? In the 1990 US Open finals.
";It was the most important moment in my tennis career," Sabatini told decades later.
"After all the years of effort and dedication, my dream came true. I could never have imagined such joy and feeling of liberation and I began to enjoy the tennis even more."
Amazingly Sabatini never felt resentful towards Graf, instead crediting her rival for making her a better player.
Most read in Sport
She added: "Steffi was a stroke of luck for me. She got the best out of my tennis and was a very decent, reserved person off court. Over the years, when we stopped playing tennis, a friendship developed."
Having won the US Open at 20 years old, many would have expected Sabatini to go on to win plenty more majors.
But despite going deep in a number of slams over the following few years, she eventually lost the desire to compete - retiring at just 26.
Asked if she had any regrets over hanging up her racquet so early, she later reflected: "No. I had already been on the pro tour for twelve years and felt very tired and unmotivated. When I woke up, I thought: 'Now I have to train again, even though I don’t really want to.'
"I talked to a psychologist and over time I realized: 'Enough is enough.' I have always listened to my inner conviction in life – and this is self-determination too. And that’s why I’m at peace with my decisions."
Sabatini, whose popularity on the tour even led to a rose being named after her in 1992, went on to develop her own perfume line - which still thrives to this day.
She knew this is what she would want to achieve after her playing days, even if it came a little earlier than expected.
On life after tennis, the 53-year-old said: "What helped me was knowing exactly what I wanted to do after my sports career: expand my perfume line and make it internationally known.
"My father, a former General Motors manager, supported me in this. In the meantime, my brand also includes watches and a fashion collection."
In the decades since hanging up her racquet, Sabatini has returned to the tennis scene.
She has recently appeared at legends' events at grand slams, and even partnered Rafael Nadal for mixed doubles during the Spaniard's exhibition tour of South America last year.
On the experience of playing with the 22-time major champion, Sabatini told : "The exhibition in Buenos Aires with Rafa and Casper [Ruud], that made me keep playing. And I kept playing, they invited us again this year for the exhibition here, we accepted. And, yes, you feel better and better."
Sabatini remains idolized by players, particularly those from Argentina, to this day.
She is in close contact with former top 10 star Diego Schwartzman, who has gushed over her in the past.
Asked about her by at Wimbledon in 2021, El Peque said: "She’s one of the idols of Argentina. It’s nice. We have a very good relationship with her.
"We talk many times after my matches and after tournaments. She’s not living in Argentina full-time - she stays there a few months out of the year - so we’re not seeing each other too much in person.
"We talk through social media and Whatsapp with the phone, it’s good to have contact with her."
Sabatini also has a famous niece; Argentine singer, model and actress Oriana.
The 27-year-old has had multiple top 10 hits in Argentina, charting as high as No. 2.
She also dates soccer star Paulo Dybala, who was part of Lionel Messi's World Cup-winning Argentina squad last year.
The couple have been together since 2018, and during the pandemic.
As for the upcoming US Open, Sabatini will presumably be supporting her fellow Argentines.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
But outside of her compatriots? Sabatini believes in a rising Czech star, and a flashy Frenchwoman.
She said: "I like Karolina Muchova a lot. Her game, her temperament. And also Caroline Garcia, I really like the way she plays."
