The double-handed wonder — stabbed on court in 1993, but her nine Grand Slams still define a generation.
Monica Seles was born in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) in 1973. She won nine Grand Slam singles titles by the age of 19. On April 30 1993 she was stabbed in the back on court during a match in Hamburg by Günter Parche — a German fan of Steffi Graf — who wanted Steffi Graf to reclaim the world number one ranking. She did not return to professional tennis for 27 months. She returned in 1995 and won a tenth Grand Slam — the 1996 Australian Open. The stabbing and its aftermath are the most traumatic event in tennis history involving a playing athlete. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.
She became the youngest-ever French Open champion at age 16 years and 6 months in 1990.
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
- Australian Open 4x
- French Open 3x
- US Open 2x