Gabriela Sabatini’s Candid Confession: Why She Admires Roger Federer

Gabriela Sabatini, the former World No.2 and 1990 US Open champion, recently shared her deep admiration for tennis legend Roger Federer. In a candid revelation, Sabatini recalled a chance encounter with Federer and his wife, Mirka, in Zurich. Interestingly, it was Federer who once admitted to having a crush on Sabatini when he was a young and aspiring tennis player.

Sabatini, now a resident of Zurich, expressed her genuine fondness for Federer as she said, “Obviously I admire Roger Federer. It is a pleasure to see him play.” This sentiment comes from a player who had an illustrious career of her own, making her praise all the more significant.

The unexpected meeting between Sabatini and Federer occurred on the bustling streets of downtown Zurich. Sabatini described it as a “total coincidence.” She elaborated, “I happened to be walking along Bahnhofstrasse, the city’s main street, and he was there with his wife and daughters.” Despite this serendipitous encounter, Sabatini emphasized that they have maintained contact over the years, further showcasing the mutual respect between them.

Sabatini’s admiration for Federer was not one-sided, as the Swiss Maestro reciprocated the sentiment. During his recent tour of South America, Federer received a video message from Sabatini. She expressed, “We are very lucky in the tennis world to have you for all the good that you represent. And as a person, you are the best.” Federer, in return, praised Sabatini, recalling her as one of his favorite players growing up.

Their mutual respect extends beyond words. Sabatini once hosted Federer at her apartment in Buenos Aires, where she prepared dinner for him. Federer shared his appreciation on Twitter, calling her “nicest person” and a “wonderful player.”

In the world of tennis, where rivalries and fierce competition are common, Sabatini and Federer’s genuine admiration for each other stands as a testament to the camaraderie that can develop among athletes.

Meanwhile, Toni Nadal, the uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal, acknowledged Federer’s greatness. He described Federer as a “wonderful player” and expressed his preference for Federer winning matches. However, he also pointed out that beating Djokovic was often more challenging for Nadal than defeating Federer. According to Toni Nadal, playing against Djokovic presented a greater tactical challenge, emphasizing the complexity of their rivalry.