(PHOTO) After her, a doll was created, it was the fantasy of many men, and today, at 56, she looks better than ever

Gabriela Sabatini, once one of the most celebrated female tennis players in the world, made a striking appearance recently at the International Tennis Hall of Fame in Newport, where she looked more radiant than ever at age 56. The former Argentine star, known for her elegance and grace both on and off the court, stunned fans with her youthful appearance, wearing a floral dress, dark blue skirt, and white shoes. Her presence at the event drew widespread admiration, with many noting how little she had changed since her prime years in the sport. Sabatini’s career began in the early 1980s, when she was just six years old. By the time she turned 13, she had already become the youngest winner of the prestigious Orange Bowl junior tournament. At just 15, she reached the semifinals of the French Open in 1985, marking the beginning of her ascent into the upper echelons of women's tennis. During the late 1980s and early 1990s, she competed against some of the greatest names in the sport, including Steffi Graf, with whom she developed one of the fiercest rivalries of the era. Her crowning achievement came in 1990, when she defeated Graf in the final of the US Open, securing her only Grand Slam singles title. That year, she also won a silver medal at the Seoul Olympics and claimed a doubles title at Wimbledon alongside Graf. She climbed as high as third place in the world rankings during her career, winning 27 singles titles and spending over a decade among the top players globally. Beyond her athletic accomplishments, Sabatini became a cultural icon due to her beauty and style. Her image was even used to create dolls, and her popularity extended far beyond the tennis courts. In 1989, a perfume bearing her name was launched, which continued to thrive long after her retirement from professional tennis. She retired from competitive play in 1996 at the young age of 26, having lost her motivation for the pressures of the sport. Unlike many athletes who try to maintain their public personas, Sabatini chose to step away from the spotlight and focus on business ventures, travel, humanitarian work, and cycling. Despite this, she has remained connected to tennis through occasional appearances at events and was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2006. In 2019, she received the Philippe Chatrier Award for her contributions to sports and humanitarian efforts. Throughout her career, Sabatini maintained a private personal life, rarely speaking about her relationships despite being linked to several notable men by the media. This discretion has only added to the intrigue surrounding her rare public appearances, which continue to draw attention nearly three decades after her last professional match. In contrast to Sabatini’s story, another figure from the past, Ljubiša Dalanović, once a prominent goalkeeper for Olimpija Ljubljana, has led a different path in his later years. Born on February 6, 1953, in Radujevac, Dalanović started his football journey as a winger before becoming a goalkeeper following an unusual incident involving a cross-border move. He joined Bor in 1972 under coach Dragoljub Pilčević and spent five years there before moving to Olimpija Ljubljana, where he played for 11 seasons and made around 550 appearances. Dalanović recalls his time at Olimpija fondly, particularly the intense matches against Crvena Zvezda. He claims that the latter club allegedly pressured referees to influence outcomes, leading to Olimpija’s decline in the Yugoslav First League. His most memorable game was against Partizan, where a controversial extra-time goal secured the team’s first league title in 11 years. The victory earned him a signed jersey from Nenad Bjeković, a gesture he attributes to his exceptional performance. Despite numerous offers from other clubs, including Partizan and Crvena Zvezda, Dalanović remained loyal to Olimpija. However, tensions arose when Olimpija threatened legal action against him for considering a move to Crvena Zvezda, ultimately deterring him from pursuing the opportunity. Today, Dalanović lives near Vrhnika with his family, enjoying a peaceful life in nature, collecting mushrooms and berries. He still maintains ties with football, coaching goalkeepers at local clubs, and believes that a unified Yugoslav league would have been one of Europe’s strongest. He advocates for regional competition similar to basketball, water polo, and volleyball.