Gabriela Sabatini, and two other honoured at ITF’s World Champions Dinner

Gabriela Sabatini, Novak Djokovic, and Simona Halep were honored at the 2019 ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris.

Gabriela Sabatini, the 1990 US Open champion and Wimbledon doubles titleholder in 1988, received the prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award, the highest accolade by the ITF. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006, Sabatini retired in 1996 with an impressive record of 27 singles titles and 14 doubles titles, reaching a career-high singles ranking of No. 3.

Beyond her on-court achievements, Sabatini continues to make significant contributions to tennis and global causes. She actively promotes the sport and supports children worldwide through her work with organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, and the Special Olympics. Her dedication to both tennis and philanthropy was recognized as she graciously accepted the award at the ceremony in Paris.

In her heartfelt speech, Sabatini expressed the profound significance of Roland Garros, where she made her first major breakthrough at just 14 years old. Reflecting on her tennis journey, she acknowledged the challenges of traveling alone, dealing with various pressures, and missing her home country, Argentina. Despite the hardships, Sabatini emphasized that tennis gave her wings, strengthening her physically and mentally, leaving an indelible mark that will last forever.

The 2019 ITF World Champions Dinner also celebrated other tennis luminaries, including singles champions Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep. Djokovic, in particular, expressed gratitude for the ITF award, acknowledging his remarkable comeback season after elbow surgery. The event underscored the global impact of tennis, with the world champion nations of Davis Cup and Fed Cup, Croatia, and Czech Republic, also receiving honors, highlighting the sport’s ability to unite nations through competition and camaraderie.