I never expected that, to hear so many people voting and voting on my side and still remembering me, and being next to all those great, great players. So it was a big honor.

Sabatini: Yeah, I was actually very surprised in a very good way (laughs). I never expected that, to hear so many people voting and voting on my side and still remembering me, and being next to all those great, great players. So it was a big honor.

It brought a very big smile to my face because obviously winning the US Open was the best moment in my tennis carreer. So to be able to remember it again, it was actually very nice.

WTA Insider: You’re such a fan favorite and beloved in the tennis community. Did you feel that love during your playing career? Or were you so locked in that it never occurred to you until after your career?

Sabatini: No, I felt that and I think that had some impact in me also. There were certain places where the crowd would get even more involved, like in New York or in Italy or in Miami. It always felt nice to have some support and I always felt very motivated by that, because even though we are concentrated, you still hear the crowd and their support. That made a difference many times for me.

WTA Insider: What is it about Argentinian tennis players? There’s something about you all that seems to whip up a crowd.
Sabatini: Well, I think there are many Argentinians all over the world [laughs].

WTA Insider: Good point.
Sabatini: Yeah, that’s for sure. So I think getting that help kind of motivates the rest of the people a little bit.

But, you know, we are known for being very noisy, like in Davis Cup. Players would want to play in Argentina because you would see something different. It was more like a soccer game than a tennis game. It has to do with that, that we come from far away from Argentina.

I don’t know. I think it’s something hard to explain sometimes. The players are charismatic and it’s something that you can’t explain but you can feel it.