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.
