Sabine Appelmans is undoubtedly one of Belgium’s biggest female tennis exports. She won her first title in 1991 and went pro in 1998. Appelmans won seven singles titles in her career and reached the Australian Open quarter-finals in 1997, the exact tournament bookmarkers tip Ashleigh Barty to win in 2022. Furthermore, Sabine became Belgium’s Federation Cup team captain from 2007-2011, replacing Carl Maes.
Reputable online betting site Betway spoke to Sabine Appelmans about her playing career, specifically her most challenging opponents. This article reveals what she learned from her career through playing some of her most challenging opponents, including perhaps the best female player ever, and what made them such formidable rivals.
- Playing A Fellow Belgian Is A Real Challenge
As seen in this footage, Appelmans mentions Dominique Monami as the third most difficult opponent she faced during her career. Dominique is also Belgian and was the first player from her country to make it into WTA’s top 10 rankings. Monami reached the quarter-finals of the Australian Open in 1997 and was ranked world number nine in October 1998.
Appelmans recollects how close they were in the rankings and disclosed that they were good friends. However, she highlighted the struggles of playing against a fellow Belgian, especially someone like Dominique, who she considered a close friend.
- Some Opponents Are Unbeatable
Monica Seles is second on Appelmans list of tough opponents she struggled to play against during her career. Monica was an excellent player who won eight Grand Slam titles while playing for Yugoslavia and one while playing for the United States. Seles is also a former world number one and was included in Time’s list of the 30 legends of Women’s Tennis.
Monica Seles, the youngest ever French Open Champion, had her promising career cut short after being stabbed in the back with a 9-inch long knife by a deranged fan of Steffi Graf. It took her two years to come back from her injury and return to the tennis court.
Although she won a Grand Slam afterward and played a US Open finals against Graf, she was never quite the same again. Sabine remembers how good of a fighter Monica was on the court and how she could use her two hands to play everything. In addition, she recollects how Monica seemed to reach all the balls and bring them back into play. Appelmans said she loved playing against Seles but considered her very tough because she never beat her. Indeed, Monica Seles has an impressive 100% record against Appelman, beating her in all their six encounters.
- Steffi Graf Was The Best Of Her Time
Sabine Appelmans lists Steffi Graf as the best and toughest opponent she faced in her era. Indeed, many pundits, fans, and players alike consider Graf the greatest female tennis player of all time. She won 22 Grand Slam titles and was the highest-ranked female player globally for a whopping 337 weeks. Steffi is also the only player to win the Golden Slam. Appelmans praised Steffi Graf’s completeness, great forehand drive, and excellent footwork. She also regards Graf as an icon and highlights how difficult it was to play against her for the first time, winning only one game.
