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How a crazed fan robbed us of the legend that is Monica Seles

If not for unfortunate events early in her career, the Yugoslavian-born American would have surely dominated tennis throughout the 90s. She is a true great of the game.

by Chris Goldsmith on 23 April 2008

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Monica Seles is a fantastic tennis champion and athlete. She was dominant in her sport throughout the early part of her career until the unfotunate and horrific incident in Hamburg, where a crazed Steffi Graf fan stabbed the superstar in the back during a tournament in 1993.

'Before the stabbing, Seles was set to continue winning Grand Slam after Grand Slam. Nothing looked like being able to stop her'

Leading Magdelena Maleeva in a quarter-final match, the dominant Seles was rushed to hospital and thankfully recovered well. Although her injuries where not career-threatening, Seles found it hard to make a comeback for two years. But, like any true champion, Seles returned in style to the WTA tour.

It was an unfortunate turn of events for the 19-year-old. She had been winning tournaments since the age of 16 and was the youngest French Open champion when she won in 1990 at the age of only 16 years and six months.

She broke the domination that Steffi Graf and Martina Navratilova had held during the late 80s and, as the new girl on tour, Seles started to make herself into one of the best female tennis players ever, if not THE best.

Comments (7)

by Hash on April 24, 2008

Undoubtedly,Monica could have been the best ever.Monica had just turned 19 when she won her 8th GS at Aussie Open 93.She was 3 time defending champion at French,Aussie and Wta Tour End championships and 2 time defending champion at US Open.She dominated Steffi and others in the biggest matches(at GS).Monica would have continued to dominate at least till end of 96,as nobody could have matched her in physical o mental strength. She could not return to her old form after her 95 comeback because she was never the same mentally or physically. Steffi benefited big time from the stabbing,no doubt.

by Braca Djordjevic on April 24, 2008

... she is the best ever and there is no doubt in my mind that she would prove that with trophies she would have won if she wasn't stabbed. She had at least five-six years of domination left in her, which would make her like Federer from 2004-2007, only two times longer :) It's a shame that a crazy person, as the headline of this great article says, robbed us of the best years of a true tennis legend. Best of luck to Monica in the future

by Kumar on April 28, 2008

People mistaken believe the Williams sisters initiated the modern power game, but it was Seles, focused on precision from the baseline and with her low, flat shots, that should be credited with it. She inspired Capriati, Davenport, Williams and the rest of the crop. What a great champion. She is sorely missed.

by Vicky on April 30, 2008

I'm too young to remember her hey--day as i'm only 17 in june lol but I'm glad she inspired the likes of Davenport and the William Sisters as they are the players I love to watch so I'm sure if i'd been old enough I would have been a huge fan

by donny david on April 30, 2008

Seles is THE BEST ever!! If she were not stabbed, she would have won 25 grandslam titles..........SELES IS THE BEST EVER!!!!

by Fais Ara on May 04, 2008

I agree with Donny.Had Seles not been stabbed,she would have won 20+ GS titles,may be even 24+.And Graf would have had around 15 GS titles.

by Fais Ara on May 04, 2008

I agree with Donny.Had Seles not been stabbed,she would have won 20+ GS titles,may be even 24+.And Graf would have had around 15 GS titles.

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