# Martina Navratilova's final match

> Martina Navratilova lost her final WTA Tour match to Gabriela Sabatini on November 14, 1994.
- Title: Martina Navratilova's final match · Tennis Majors | Shortify
- Summary: Martina Navratilova lost her final WTA Tour match to Gabriela Sabatini on November 14, 1994.
- Keywords: martina navratilova, gabriela sabatini, wta tour championships, 1994, tennis, grand slam, wimbledon, mixed doubles, doubles, singles, Tennis Majors
- Source: Tennis Majors — https://tennismajors.com/wta-tour-news/november-14-1994-the-day-martina-navratilova-retired-from-the-tour-305254.html
- Published: 2026-11-14T11:02:35+00:00
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: martina navratilova, gabriela sabatini, wta tour championships, 1994, tennis, grand slam, wimbledon, mixed doubles, doubles, singles, sports
## Martina Navratilova's final match
Martina Navratilova played her last WTA Tour match on November 14, 1994.
## The match result
Navratilova lost to Gabriela Sabatini 6-4, 6-2 in the first round of the WTA Tour Championships.
## Navratilova's career
Navratilova held the record for the longest reign at No 1 with 332 weeks and was ranked No 5 in the world.
## Sabatini's background
Sabatini, born in 1970, won her first Grand Slam title at the 1990 US Open.
## The match dynamics
Sabatini dominated the match with 37 winners and neutralized Navratilova's serve-and-volley game.
## Navratilova's reaction
Navratilova said she didn't know whether to cry or laugh after losing her final match.

> I don’t know whether I should cry or laugh
## The ceremony
A six-minute tribute film and a commemorative banner were raised at Madison Square Garden.
## Virginia Slims gift
Virginia Slims gave Navratilova a Harley-Davidson motorcycle as a farewell present.
## Sabatini's response
Sabatini called Navratilova a great person and said it was an honor to beat her.

> I got to know Martina off the court. I have to say that she is a great person.
## Navratilova's comeback
Navratilova returned to doubles in 2000, winning the mixed doubles at the 2003 Australian Open.
## Sabatini's retirement
Sabatini retired from professional tennis in 1996 after struggling with motivation.
## Navratilova's final career
Navratilova won her last mixed doubles title at the 2006 US Open with Bob Bryan.
## The legacy
Navratilova remains the oldest Grand Slam champion in history at age 46.
## The impact
Navratilova's retirement marked the end of an era in women's tennis history.
## Key takeaway

Martina Navratilova retired from the WTA Tour after losing to Gabriela Sabatini in the 1994 WTA Tour Championships final.