She was World No. 3, won the US Open, but shockingly retired at only 26: ‘I was no longer happy’
Gabriela Sabatini was one of the most successful and beloved tennis players of the 1980s and 1990s. However, she retired at a young age while still competing at the highest level.
Few tennis players achieve the glory of winning a Grand Slam while reaching the Top 3 in the rankings. Argentine star Gabriela Sabatini did just that, establishing herself as one of the greatest players of the 1980s and 1990s. She defeated rivals like Steffi Graf and Monica Seles before deciding to retire at just 27 years old.
Sabatini began her professional career as a teenager and quickly became one of the world’s best players. At just 15 years and three weeks old, she became one of the youngest players ever to reach the semifinals of the French Open, where she lost to Chris Evert. In the following years, she also reached the semifinals at Wimbledon (1986) and the French Open (1987).
Her first major breakthrough came at 18 when she won the silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, losing to Graf, who was already one of her biggest rivals and closest friends. Their matches were unforgettable, though Graf had the upper hand in most finals, including the 1989 US Open.
Sabatini finally defeated Graf in straight sets to win the 1990 US Open, her lone Grand Slam title. They faced off again in the 1991 Wimbledon final, with Graf winning once more. However, they also shared success as doubles partners, winning Wimbledon in 1988 and reaching three French Open finals together.
Graf wasn’t her only fierce competitor. Sabatini also battled against Monica Seles, the legendary Martina Navratilova, and Spain’s Arantxa Sanchez Vicario and Conchita Martinez. She claimed two WTA Finals titles, both in New York.