Yugoslav/American · Novi Sad, Yugoslavia · Born 2 December 1973Yugoslav-American two-handed pioneer who won 9 Grand Slam singles titles before a 1993 on-court stabbing altered the course of her career.
Monica Seles was born on 2 December 1973 in Novi Sad, in what was then Yugoslavia, to an ethnic Hungarian family, and began playing tennis at five, coached by her father Karolj, a cartoonist who drew smiley faces on tennis balls to make training fun. She turned professional in 1989 at 15, moving to Florida to train. Seles won her first Grand Slam title at the 1990 French Open at just 16, defeating Steffi Graf, and went on to dominate women's tennis, winning eight majors in total before her 20th birthday and displacing Graf as world No. 1 on 11 March 1991, becoming the youngest woman ever to top the rankings. On 30 April 1993, during a changeover at a tournament in Hamburg, a spectator named Günter Parche — an obsessive fan of Graf hoping to help his idol reclaim the world No. 1 ranking — lunged from the stands and stabbed Seles between the shoulder blades with a 9-inch kitchen knife. Doctors said that had she not leaned forward for a water break at that exact moment, she likely would have been paralysed. Parche received only a suspended sentence, avoiding prison. Seles did not return to competitive tennis for over two years, missing ten Grand Slam tournaments during her recovery from both the physical injury and the psychological trauma of the attack. She became a US citizen in 1994 and returned in August 1995, winning the 1996 Australian Open for her ninth and final Grand Slam title. Many historians consider her the finest player denied the chance to fulfil her full potential, believing she may otherwise have become the greatest female player in the sport's history. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.
Dominant early-90s champion, victim of on-court stabbing in 1993
How They Played
Seles was known for her aggressive baseline game and distinctive two-handed groundstrokes on both forehand and backhand sides. She hit the ball early and with tremendous power, often grunting loudly with each shot. Her exceptional court coverage and mental toughness made her nearly unbeatable during her early peak years.
Lasting Impact
Seles revolutionized women's tennis with her power-based playing style that influenced a generation of players. Her career trajectory also highlighted the need for better security measures in professional tennis.
Career Honours
- 9 Grand Slam singles titles
- world No. 1 for 178 weeks
- International Tennis Hall of Fame (2009)
Yugoslav/American Athletes