Martina said some years later that with hindsight, she'd been burned out from tennis from the end of 1986 to mid 1989. It all turned around when she called up Billie Jean King in mid 1989 and pretty much said "Help!". She'd had some bad results in the first half of 1989, losing to Sukova, Zvereva and Sabatini. In the second half of the year, she lost to nobody but Graf. 1989 was also the last time Martina played the Australian Open singles, and the first time she skipped the French Open. She also had large gaps away from the tour, no doubt to rest and recuperate. She didn't play for 7 weeks between February - April, for two months from mid April to mid June, took another month off July - August, and then played only two tournaments after the US Open until the tour finals in November.
she skipped the French to play World Team Tennis- like Chris did in the late 70s. She skipped it 1976-1980- with Chris absent 76-78, she had a shot at winning those.
Martina had a great summer 89- thrashing Sabatini here- all the way through US Open final where she was up on Graf 63 42- and it all collapsed from there- Steffi turned it up and won 36 75 61... can't remember any matches Martina was 2 games away and she lost only winning 2 more games.
I don't realise how some people are convinced that Evert was stronger than Navratilova despite Martina won 10 Major finals on Chris while Evert won only 4(3 times on clay!) And Martina had beaten Chris 37 times in their last 50 meetings(from '80 to '88)the best period of their rivalry,to me Evert never played so well from '85 to her last season '89)
This is a good example of how much Gabi improved from 1990 onwards. Here, her game is rigid and unthinking and her footwork is slow and clunky. Within a year or so, she'd be much more flexible,with a lot more variety, and with much more eager footwork.
Is this Jen Capriati (before her pro debut in spring of 1990) bobbing up and down in the stands after Gaby's speech? ua-cam.com/video/lftTp8LwM-4/v-deo.htmlsi=S-KSCQSK697mwfSl&t=3450
@@gopies1456 yeah, her only grand slam win. horrible game. high and slow balls, annoying top-spin, and a already weakened Graf (see Wimbledon) distracted by the issues surrounding her father
Is it Lisa Bonder commentating here? She's good, and gives some insightful commentary. Too bad she wasn't utilized to do more.
Martina said some years later that with hindsight, she'd been burned out from tennis from the end of 1986 to mid 1989. It all turned around when she called up Billie Jean King in mid 1989 and pretty much said "Help!". She'd had some bad results in the first half of 1989, losing to Sukova, Zvereva and Sabatini. In the second half of the year, she lost to nobody but Graf. 1989 was also the last time Martina played the Australian Open singles, and the first time she skipped the French Open. She also had large gaps away from the tour, no doubt to rest and recuperate. She didn't play for 7 weeks between February - April, for two months from mid April to mid June, took another month off July - August, and then played only two tournaments after the US Open until the tour finals in November.
she skipped the French to play World Team Tennis- like Chris did in the late 70s. She skipped it 1976-1980- with Chris absent 76-78, she had a shot at winning those.
Martina had a great summer 89- thrashing Sabatini here- all the way through US Open final where she was up on Graf 63 42- and it all collapsed from there- Steffi turned it up and won 36 75 61... can't remember any matches Martina was 2 games away and she lost only winning 2 more games.
Thank you so much for these classics, Robert!
I was in the front row, three seats away from Wilt Chamberlain. Martina played a fantastic match.
After Wimbledon '89 Martina played her best tennis to win dominating anyone in Los Angeles and Toronto until the 2^ set in final with Graf
Evert was pretty lucky not playing Martina Who was playing in that great level
I don't realise how some people are convinced that Evert was stronger than Navratilova despite Martina won 10 Major finals on Chris while Evert won only 4(3 times on clay!) And Martina had beaten Chris 37 times in their last 50 meetings(from '80 to '88)the best period of their rivalry,to me Evert never played so well from '85 to her last season '89)
Evert played incredibly well at the 85 & 86 French Opens.
This is a good example of how much Gabi improved from 1990 onwards. Here, her game is rigid and unthinking and her footwork is slow and clunky. Within a year or so, she'd be much more flexible,with a lot more variety, and with much more eager footwork.
Martinais playing so well here , after this tournament Martina was a set and 4-2 up in open final against Graf
Martina here is so strong and within a year and a half she never had this kind of mobility and strength
Is this Jen Capriati (before her pro debut in spring of 1990) bobbing up and down in the stands after Gaby's speech? ua-cam.com/video/lftTp8LwM-4/v-deo.htmlsi=S-KSCQSK697mwfSl&t=3450
Sabatini was all looks, no game.
🙄
Hmmmmm you do know that she won the us open the following year def Graf
@@gopies1456 yeah, her only grand slam win. horrible game. high and slow balls, annoying top-spin, and a already weakened Graf (see Wimbledon) distracted by the issues surrounding her father
@@cush6827 riiiight just one lol. How many you got?
@@TIZNYC invalid point. typical moron.