Sabatini and McEnroe captain Caja Mágica exhibition
Gabriela Sabatini stepped onto the clay of the Caja Mágica in Madrid on a Thursday afternoon, her athletic frame bearing the distinct posture of an elite competitor who walked away from professional tennis at just 26 years old. EL PAÍS reported that the former world number three co-captained the Sanitas Inclusive Tennis Masters alongside John McEnroe, bringing together players with and without functional diversity on the Madrid sand.
Arriving from Switzerland for the engagement, the 56-year-old Buenos Aires native displayed her trademark discretion while offering a direct window into her current life. Although she stepped away from competitive play in 1996 because she felt it simply had to be that way, Sabatini remains closely tied to the sport as a tournament ambassador. Beyond her tennis engagements, her time is largely occupied by various sponsorships and her fragrance line, which debuted more than 30 years ago in 1989. Looking back at her illustrious career, she recalled winning the US Open in 1990, claiming the year-end championships twice in 1988 and 1994, capturing a silver medal at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, and peaking at number three in the world during an era defined by fierce, charismatic rivals who are still missed today.
Rule adjustments and visibility needed for court inclusion
The Thursday exhibition matched players with and without functional diversity on sand courts inside the Caja Mágica. Sabatini and McEnroe led the event organized by the Sanitas Foundation, which paired athletes with and without functional diversity. Sabatini noted that while sports inclusion has progressed over the years, the discipline still requires rule adjustments and greater visibility to give every athlete an opportunity on the court. Highlighting the transformative power of sport, she emphasized that initiatives of this nature generate vital diffusion and visibility, allowing everyone to share a single court and experience the values of self-improvement that sports provide.
Locker room integration and rising social consciousness
She noted that Grand Slam tournaments now feature prominent wheelchair tennis draws that attract substantial crowds.
Stepping beyond the sports world when asked about global concerns, Sabatini voiced her unease over wars and disputes between countries, stating that she dislikes fights and arguments because people ultimately suffer the most when conflicts arise from an inability to see things differently.
Two-week schedules and rigorous demands of modern tennis
EL PAÍS reported that the former US Open champion expressed concern over Category 1000 tournaments expanding across two weeks, a format she argued increases both physical and psychological fatigue. Comparing current conditions to her own career, Sabatini highlighted the lack of an extended off-season in professional tennis, noting that players transition directly from one year-end commitment into preparations for the Australian Open. Today, she follows the sport regularly whenever possible—whether watching on television or attending tournaments in person—to enjoy high-level matches and analyze the action.
Tactical variety and the enduring shadow of Steffi Graf
On the men’s side, she highlighted Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner as standout competitors.
