Shocking allegations have resurfaced this week, suggesting that the Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) may not have fully supported tennis legend Gabriela Sabatini during the peak of her career—sparking renewed discussion about favoritism, media bias, and institutional politics within professional tennis.
The controversy reignited after an excerpt from a soon-to-be-released documentary, *“Behind the Baseline: The Untold Stories of Women’s Tennis,”* suggested that Sabatini was viewed by some WTA insiders as “marketable but not the face they wanted leading the tour.” Former officials, speaking anonymously, claimed the organization focused its promotional efforts on more outspoken or dominant champions of the era, such as Steffi Graf and Monica Seles, while Sabatini—despite her talent and popularity—was often sidelined in media campaigns and scheduling priorities.
“She wasn’t given the same visibility, even when her results merited it,” one former tour executive stated in the film. “It was clear who the WTA wanted to build around, and Sabatini didn’t fit that mold.”
Fans and tennis historians have long speculated about the lack of institutional push behind Sabatini, despite her consistent Top 10 presence, Grand Slam title, and massive global fan base. Her soft-spoken nature, combined with a reluctance to engage in rivalries or off-court drama, may have contributed to a perception that she wasn’t “marketable” enough by WTA standards at the time.
On social media, the hashtag #JusticeForSabatini began trending as fans demanded acknowledgment of the challenges she may have faced behind the scenes. Others criticized the WTA’s historical approach to promoting athletes based on narrative appeal rather than merit.
Neither the WTA nor Sabatini has formally responded to the allegations, but the resurfacing of these claims has reignited important conversations about how tennis organizations support their stars—and who gets to shine in the spotlight.
