Monica Seles

Lore & Background

Seles began playing tennis at age five, coached by her father, who developed her two-handed forehand and backhand. She won the Junior Orange Bowl at age 11 and trained at the Nick Bollettieri Tennis Academy after moving to the United States in 1986. She turned professional in 1989 and won her first career title that year, beating Chris Evert in Houston. In 1990, she became the youngest-ever French Open champion at 16 years, 6 months, defeating Steffi Graf in the final. She dominated the tour in 1991 and 1992, winning the Australian Open, French Open, and US Open in both years, and reaching her first Wimbledon final in 1992. From January 1991 through February 1993, she won 22 titles and reached 33 finals in 34 tournaments, compiling a 159–12 win–loss record.

Reader's Guide

Monica Seles's significance lies in her extraordinary achievements as a teenager and the abrupt disruption of her career. She won eight major titles before turning 20, a feat unmatched in women's tennis, and was ranked world No. 1 for 178 weeks. Her two-handed style on both wings was innovative and highly effective. The stabbing on April 30, 1993, by Günter Parche, a fan of rival Steffi Graf, ended her period of dominance. After a two-year hiatus, she returned to win a ninth major at the 1996 Australian Open but could not consistently regain her top form. Many players and historians have argued she had the potential to become the most accomplished female player of all time had the attack not occurred. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.

Did You Know?

• Seles was named Yugoslav Sportswoman of the Year in 1985 and 1990.
• She won the 1990 year-end Virginia Slims Championships in a five-set match, the first five-set women's match since the 1901 US National Championships.
• Her attacker, Günter Parche, was sentenced to two years' probation and psychological treatment after being found psychologically abnormal.
• Seles played her last professional match at the 2003 French Open.