Gabriela Sabatini bags Philippe Charrier ITF world champions Award!

Gabriela Sabatini, a tennis legend renowned for her 1990 US Open victory and five French Open semi-finals, was the recipient of the prestigious Philippe Chatrier Award at the 2019 ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris. Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006, Sabatini’s illustrious career featured not only her Wimbledon doubles title in 1988 but also an Olympic singles silver medal in Seoul that same year. With an impressive tally of 27 singles titles, 14 doubles titles, and a career-high singles ranking of No. 3, her indelible mark on the sport is undeniable.

Beyond her remarkable playing days, Sabatini has been unwavering in her dedication to tennis and philanthropy. She has devoted substantial time to promoting tennis and supporting children worldwide by collaborating with organizations such as UNICEF, UNESCO, the Special Olympics, and serving as an Athlete Role Model at the 2018 Buenos Aires Youth Olympic Games.

Joining Sabatini in the 2018 roll of honor were singles champions Novak Djokovic and Simona Halep, doubles champions Mike Bryan and Jack Sock, Barbora Krejcikova and Katerina Siniakova, junior champions Tseng Chun Hsin and Clara Burel, and wheelchair champions Shingo Kunieda, Diede de Groot, and Dylan Alcott.

Simona Halep, a Grand Slam winner and former World No. 1, expressed her gratitude, stating, “All my hard work has paid off, and I’m so happy to be here tonight. Even though I play tomorrow, I couldn’t say no to this. It is very important for me and will be with my top trophies; Grand Slam, No1, and this one.”

Novak Djokovic, who experienced a remarkable comeback season after elbow surgery, acknowledged the ITF, saying, “I would like to thank the ITF for this wonderful award. It has been an amazing comeback season for me.” He reflected on his journey, “It started with elbow surgery, and it took several months for me to recover, get back on the right track, and find the game that would allow me to have arguably the best six months that I’ve had in my career, crowning it with three Grand Slam titles. Hopefully, I can keep that streak going here in Paris.”

In summary, the 2019 ITF World Champions Dinner in Paris showcased the recognition and celebration of tennis legends who have left an indelible mark on the sport. Gabriela Sabatini’s remarkable career and contributions to tennis and philanthropy, along with the other distinguished honorees, exemplify the enduring spirit of tennis excellence and sportsmanship. This prestigious event serves as a reminder of the timeless impact that these legends have made on the world of tennis.