September 22, 1989 | |
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Sabine was introduced to tennis by her father at the age of seven and quickly realized she had a natural talent and love for the sport. After beginning her career on the ITF Circuit in 2004, Sabine rapidly established herself as a major force in the women’s junior game. She began her training at the prestigious Nick Bollettieri Academy, where her talent was immediately recognized by some of the greatest players of the game. Her breakthrough season came in 2008, and was highlighted by reaching her first WTA Tour final, in which she had wins over Davenport, Chakvetadze and Safina. By the end of the season, she was able to climb in the rankings from #237 to #54 in the world. Sabine made history during the 2009 Family Circle Cup, by becoming the lowest ranked player ever to win the title in Charleston, South Carolina. As the 16th seed, the German teenager secured her first tour title by beating Danish 5th seed Caroline Wozniacki in a fast-paced final; the biggest win of her career. She burst onto the radar earlier in the week when she defeated 2nd seed Venus Williams in two straight sets. At just 19 years old, Sabine became not only the lowest-ranked player but also the youngest to ever win the Charleston title. Sabine, who is coached by her father Richard and trains at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy in Bradenton, Florida, is known for her tenacious spirit on the court. Her favorite surfaces are hard and grass. Her powerful serve, consistently reaching speeds of over 110 mph, combined with her impressive groundstrokes make her an up-and-coming force to be reckoned with on the WTA Tour. With comparisons being made to Steffi Graf, due to her speed around the court and her attacking cross-court shots, expectations are high. Sabine is undoubtedly a great prospect for the near future. (read less) | |
Off the court, Sabine enjoys listening to pop and R&B music and reading. Her favorite book is Lance Armstrong’s autobiography ‘It’s Not About the Bike’; she admires his drive and determination. As a happy and hardworking teenager, Sabine is known for her fighting spirit. |