[player2]

Perhaps people should be reminded that Sabatini
was speaking a 2nd language!!! I don't recall ANY
American women players EVER conducting an interview
in a language other than English.

Sabatini NEVER had a negative thing to say about
other players! She was a respectful and shy kid.

Gaby certainly did not live up to the expectations
of the tennis public. Perhaps those expectations
were too high. And, they may have been prompted
by her good looks rather than the reality of her
tennis skills. (Kournikova may be in the same boat today.)

At any rate, Gaby's early departure from the game
is certainly understandable. The public always
demanded more than she could give. I think it
was easy for her to make the decision to escape
from the harsh scrutiny she had to endure.

[irma]

I remember reading that she was attacked for her English especially when she was young. I always found that unfair, not only with her but with all people

[player2]

I agree with you, Irma, re English fluency.
As an American it really impresses me that
the "foreign" players speak so well in so
many different languages. I am in awe.
It is a terrible irony that many Americans do not
appreciate this fact. The combination of youth
and speaking in a second language makes
the interview process a difficult one.

Jim Courrier is the ONLY American tennis
player that I have ever heard speak in
another language. I wish more Americans
were able to do so.

[rhz]

Serena and Venus always try to speak the language where they are playing in, like when Serena won Roland Garros, she spoke French in part of her speech! also in Japan i guess!

[player2]

Really? I was not aware that they had done this.
Great! Glad to hear it. It certainly shows respect
for the host country. I like that.

[cunnihingis]

gaby really deserved her popularity just for being a great competitor and promoter of the sport. where she let herself down as well as the fans is that she let her game stagnate. gaby excelled when she was aggressive. when she began to adapt (perhaps unintentionally) asv and martinez's lulling style of game that's when her slump began.

[nemcl]

The first article I read about Ms Sabatini was way back in 1985 ... in "Tennis Magazine" by Peter Bodo (this was a positive article) when he consistently referred to her as the "No Si" kid, which is Spanish for "I don't know" but of course at 15 she would have had no command of English being raised in a Spanish speaking country and of course she was just a child.
What I find fascinating about this subject is the assumption that all tennis players regardless of where they come from, will eventually be English speaking.

I remember reading about Jim Courier speaking French when he was in France and thought that was great ... these tournaments want and desire recognitiion for their efforts and whenever possible using the host language is terrific

[spencercarlos]

Test

[PamShriver]

I do recall in Feinstein's book when Argentine player was told that it didn't seem that Sabatini had much to say in English, he replied "it's pretty much the same for Spanish too". Which made me laugh.

[Gallofa]

Originally posted by PamShriver
I do recall in Feinstein's book when Argentine player was told that it didn't seem that Sabatini had much to say in English, he replied "it's pretty much the same for Spanish too". Which made me laugh.

Wasn't that bit about Conchita?

[PamShriver]

I'm pretty sure it was Gaby, because I recall that the fact that they were from the same country was kind of pointed out.

Have to check to make sure though. Have heard similar things about Conchi though.

[Gallofa]

Yes, you are right, I think it was in Michael Mewshaw's book that something very similar was mentioned about Conchita.

[nemcl]

So are Conchi and Gabi DUMD or considering the atmosphere of the tour SMART ?

[Gandalf]

There is a bit in the 'Ladies of the Court' thread about Sabatini, and how Menkshaw portraited her as really dumb (don't know which of the 100 pages of the thread, sorry!). I also think that she was very very shy, and that she relied a lot on her brother in her early years on the tour.

[PamShriver]

The intro to "Ladies of the Court" was all about Mewshaw trying to track down Gaby in Rome for a possible piece in Vogue. She didn't make herself very available to him, much to his dismay and when they did sit down and talk he didn't get much out of her. The impression I was left with was that she wasn't very bright.

Alberto Mancini was the Argentine player that I referenced before in Feinstein's book. Also in that book Feinstein tells a story told by Mary Carillo about how one time all of these reporters came out of a Sabatini press conference and they were all yawning.

I have heard that she is a very sweet girl though and I thought that it was cool of her not to partake in the whole "should Seles be frozen at Number 1 until she comes back" vote after the stabbing.