Both Jana Novotna & Gabriela Sabatini are considered by many as the 2 biggest underachievers in womens’ tennis. But comparing them, who was the better player?. To help you decide, look at their career numbers:
1. Grand Slam Singles Finals: Jana played in 4 , Sabatini in 3. (edge to Jana)
2. Grand Slam Singles Titles: 1 for Jana, 1 for Sabatini. (no edge for either player)
3. Highest Singles Ranking: #2 for Jana, #3 for Sabatini. (edge to Jana)
4. Singles Titles: 27 for Sabatini, 24 for Jana. (edge to Sabatini)
5. Doubles Titles: 76 for Jana, 13 for Sabatini (edge to Jana)
6. Career Singles Record: Gaby went 632-189, while Jana was 571-225. (edge to Sabatini)
7. Career Doubles Record: Jana was 697-153, while Sabatini was 252-96. (edge to Jana)
Comparing their stats in the categories I listed, Jana edges out Sabatini in 4 of those 7 categories. Sabatini gets a slight edge over Jana in singles wins. However, Jana beats out Sabatini in highest singles ranking and grand slam singles finals. Also, Jana gets the huge edge in doubles. Taking all this into account, it seems clear to me Jana was better then Sabatini. Compare them, and tell me who you think was the better player?. And please explain your answer in some detail?.
More Pages:
- Solar Producer: Djokovic Has Had A Heck Of A Disappointing Year. Will It Get Better, Or Worse? (9/16/2011)
- Solar Producer: If Roger Federer Is Really That Good, Then Why Does He Always Lose To Nadal? (9/12/2011)
- Solar Producer: Will Venus Williams Ever Win Another Grand Slam? (8/12/2011)
- Solar Producer: Which History Record Mostly Impress You? Why? (11/5/2011)
- Solar Producer: In Your Opinion, Which Of The Following MLB Records Would Be The Most Difficult To Break? (5/12/2011)
{ 5 comments… read them below or add one }
Gaby Semitini might have the better slam record, bigger titles, more impressive wins, but this stat says it all:
Jana Novotna – $ 11,249,284
Gabriela Sabatini – $ 8,785,850
Interesting comparison.Though I’m a big Novotna fan, Sabatini to me always had the more natural talent and more complete game between the two. However the fact that she won only one Slam and three finals, she was slightly underachieving (or unfortunate to be in the era completely dominated by Steffi Graf and Monica Seles).
Novotna meanwhile had the best volley in the game but not much else; her backhand was especially suspect. But her game is tailored well to Wimbledon and that’s why she made 3 finals there. She also got a bit of luck of having her career extend a bit later when Seles was out and Graf was beset by injuries in her later years. She was a great doubles player which puts her ahead over Sabatini in the discussion.
So, talent-wise Gaby is better, but record-wise, Jana is better.
You have asked this before. Didn’t you like the answers? In any case, I pick Sabatini. She had a great backhand and was prettier.
Bobby’s right, I remember answering this question before. As I said then, there’s more to the stats than numbers.
Although Sabatini and Novotna both won 1 slam, Sabatini won her slam over a very dominant Steffi Graf (in straight sets at that) while Novotna beat Tauziat for her only slam title. The majority of Sabatini’s singles titles came at tiers 1 and 2 while Novotna won most of hers at tiers 2 and 3. 1 YEC championship for Novotna vs. 2 for Sabatini.
Head to head Sabatini owned Novotna 10-3. In terms of quality wins Sabatini was the better player.
No way Sabatini was beten in some epic Grand Slam Finals by Steffi Garf. Novotna nearly won Wimbledon so manby times before she finally did.