Gabriela Sabatini joins an ever-lively debate in tennis: are matches way too long?
‘It’s an interesting topic and I think it might be good to shorten five-set matches,” she told CLAY in this interview that took place during Wimbledon 2024.
“Making the game a little bit faster, which I think is fine for the fans, it’s more entertaining.”
The Argentine appreciates seeing Novak Djokovic still ambitious at 37 years old with so many records to his name. She believes that part of that motivation is still alive thanks to countless run-ins with the crowd, which motivates him. She also marvels at Italian Jasmine Paolini: ‘I love her attitude’.
Thirty-four years ago, Sabatini stood on the green hard courts of Flushing Meadows, kissing the US Open trophy. She won it in 1990 after defeating Steffi Graf in straight sets in front of a packed crowd.
The former world number three is currently enjoying her status as a tennis legend, and every time she attends tournaments, she receives star treatment. This Wednesday, she will continue to turn heads when she returns to the tournament where she experienced the most successful moment of her career. At Arthur Ashe Stadium in New York, she will play a mixed doubles exhibition alongside Juan Martín del Potro against Andy Roddick and Venus Williams.
Interview with Gabriela Sabatini
– If you could change anything in tennis, in its rules, what would you change?
– They are trying to implement new things, make the game a little bit faster, which I think is good for the fans, it’s more entertaining. They’ve moved towards that. I don’t know what other things they might change, because tennis has a tradition, and you have to be careful what you change.
– There’s a debate that’s always going around in tennis – should men continue to play all their matches best-of-five sets in the Grand Slams?
– That’s a tough one. I think it’s a decision that always has to go through the players. For those who are on the court, also for the spectator it can be a bit time consuming. I think it has to be evaluated more for a physical issue than anything else. We have to see if five-sets matches are too physically demanding and if in the long run they are the cause of so many injuries. The most important thing in this debate is to listen to the voice of the players. It’s an interesting topic and I think it might be good thing perhaps shorten them.
– There was controversy at Roland Garros with the night sessions on its center court. In 2024 the men got to play every single night. In 2023 when they made the exception and scheduled the women, there were people asking for refunds. Why is this happening to women’s tennis?
– I see women’s tennis in good health, it is very competitive, although the players are changing. It is not that there are one, two or three that dominate. Now Iga Swiatek is doing it, but it varies a lot. Maybe what happens is that the names don’t register as much because they vary so much. There is a lot of rotation and then you don’t identify with the players as much because you don’t know them. Maybe the number two or three player appeared and you don’t know how she got there so fast. Maybe that’s what happens to the public. They know the men better.
– Saudi Arabia will be the host nation of the WTA Finals in November. What do you think about it?
– I really don’t know. On one hand, I think it is important to support women’s tennis. And then we’ll have to see how things work out.
– Will you visit Riyadh when the tournament takes place?
– I don’t think so, no. I don’t think so.
– What do you think of Jasmine Paolini and her sudden appearance in the elite?
– The truth is that it is a very nice surprise to see Paolini playing Grand Slam finals. I love her attitude on the court and I love the confidence she has in herself. She looks happy and enjoying herself, it’s nice to see that. It’s difficult sometimes, isn’t it? To be able to enjoy inside the court is not always easy and I think she radiates all her joy when she plays this sport.
– What do you like about her game?
– She has a very solid game, she has a great serve. She is not a tall player, but she serves very well, she plays very well. She is very strong and goes forward. I think that’s what made her reach the Wimbledon final, the Roland Garros final.
– What is her ceiling, how high can she go?
– Her ceiling is very high. Look at her playing back-to-back Grand Slam finals, on totally different surfaces. She’s competing at the highest levels of tennis.
Getting ready 💪🏽 @usopen @sabatinigabyok pic.twitter.com/QdnIWu7TQP
— Juan M. del Potro (@delpotrojuan) August 18, 2024
– What did you think of the way Novak Djokovic interacted with the crowd during his time at Wimbledon?
– I think Novak is motivated by these things. He’s still very motivated and it’s very good. I’m glad to see him like that. It seems to me that all we should talk about him is the tennis. It’s unbelievable what he’s achieved, what he is and what he’s still doing. Hands up for him! It’s an incredible thing, isn’t it? Having had Roger, Novak, Rafa still… we are lucky.
– And will Nadal play in 2025?
– Better ask him! (laughs).
