As the tennis world gears up for another exciting US Open, let's take a nostalgic journey back to 1990 when Gabriela Sabatini, the Argentine tennis sensation, finally clinched her first and only Grand Slam singles title. Her victory wasn't just a personal triumph; it was a moment that captivated the tennis world and rewrote the script of a rivalry that had long been one-sided.

The Path to Glory

Sabatini's road to the 1990 US Open title was paved with years of near-misses and heartbreaks. As Ashley Marshall notes in a US Open article, "From her first full season in 1985 to her penultimate year on tour more than a decade later, the Argentine reached at least one Grand Slam singles semifinal in 11 consecutive years." Yet, the coveted trophy remained elusive, often due to the dominance of players like Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, and most notably, Steffi Graf.

A Change in Strategy

After a disappointing fourth-round exit at the 1990 French Open, Sabatini made a crucial decision. According to Michael Janofsky's report in The New York Times, she parted ways with her long-time coach Angel Giminez and hired Carlos Kirmayr, a former touring professional from Brazil. Kirmayr, along with sports psychologist Jim Loehr, instilled in Sabatini a more aggressive approach to the game, encouraging her to approach the net without fear.

The New York Campaign

This new strategy paid dividends in New York. Sabatini stormed through the early rounds, dropping just 13 games in her first four matches. After a tough three-set battle against Mary Joe Fernandez in the semifinals, Sabatini found herself face-to-face with her nemesis, Steffi Graf, in the final.

The Final Showdown

Graf, the world No. 1 and two-time defending champion, had won 18 of their 21 previous encounters, including six at Grand Slams. But on September 8, 1990, Sabatini rewrote the script.

Employing her new aggressive style, Sabatini matched Graf in a one-handed backhand masterclass. She broke Graf three times in the first set, claiming it 6-2. The second set was a nail-biter, with Sabatini serving for the match at 5-4, only for Graf to break back.
In the ensuing tiebreak, Sabatini's newfound confidence shone through.As Ashley Marshall vividly describes in another US Open article, "At 6-4, she pounced on Graf's return, firing a forehand winner from inside the doubles alley to clinch the title 6-2, 7-6."

The Aftermath

An emotional Sabatini could barely contain herself during the trophy ceremony. "It's very hard for me to talk right now," she said. "I just can't believe that I won this tournament. I've been dreaming a lot to win it, and I can't believe this came true today."

While Sabatini would reach one more Grand Slam final at Wimbledon the following year, the 1990 US Open remained her crowning achievement. She retired in 1996 with 27 career singles titles, a Wimbledon doubles trophy, an Olympic silver medal, and a place in the International Tennis Hall of Fame.

Legacy

Her victory also marked a unique year in tennis history. 1990 was the first time since 1966 that eight different men and women won the four majors, with Sabatini joining Graf, Monica Seles, and Martina Navratilova as the women's champions.

As we anticipate another thrilling US Open, Sabatini's 1990 triumph reminds us of the magic that can happen on the courts of Flushing Meadows. It's a testament to perseverance, strategic evolution, and the realization of a long-held dream – elements that continue to make tennis one of the most captivating sports in the world.