Steffi Graf vs. Gabriela Sabatini Manheim 2005 EXO

[@francinezane4076]

Steffi even in 2005 moving great Sabatini a bit more slow. Which in my humble opinion made a big difference in this match. 😊😊😊 loved this match at moments with her forehand and deadly slice. You could see the old Steffi we all know and love. 🥰🥰🥰

[@michaelpaskos9052]

I think it was after this exhibition Sabatini said she thought Steffi could easily return to the wta tour without missing a beat? That's very high praise from Sabatini, she didn't play that badly here but no way Steffi was gong to lose this match in basically her own backyard. Just wish we could have seen both girls play some exhibitions against Arantxa and Jana before she passed.

[@silviatennismusic]

Steffi!! Gracias

[@ianreed1137]

It seemed during the 91 and 92 seasons that they were not so close, then from 93 back to friendly hand shakes. Didn’t Gaby’s coach advise her to stop playing doubles with Steffi after Wimbledon 1990, maybe that caused a problem.

[@justtennischannel2]

Steffi explained their friendship when Gaby was inducted into The Hall of Fame. Still, Gaby is the only player ever who beat Steffi more times than anyone else did.

[@Calicokit101]

You're right....they did seem to go through a bad few years. It seemed to start in 1990 when Gaby beat Steffi to win the US Open. I always got the impression that Steffi hated losing to Gaby more than anyone else and when she did lose she was very sour about it. And of course in 1991 and 1992 Gaby beat Steffi A LOT.

[@carrerau7138]

@@Calicokit101 It is interesting to note that even though Steffi lost only five (!) matches in total in her two stellar years 1988 & 1989 three (!) of those losses came against Gaby.

[@Calicokit101]

@@carrerau7138 I think Steffi really didn't respect Gaby's game of hitting high loopy top spin shots....if you are an aggressive player like Steffi who wins matches by hitting winners that style of play can drive you nuts....not because your opponent hits winners but because they won't allow you to play your game and frustrate you into making errors. Of course Gaby could come to the net and put away volleys but she could not drill winners from the back of the court like Monica for example. I've always said, Gaby beating Steffi seven out of eight times from 1991 - 1992 is one of the most underrated achievements in women's tennis in the 90s.