Monica Seles

About

Monica Seles is a renowned Serbian-American former professional tennis player, celebrated for her exceptional talent and resilience. Born on December 2, 1973, in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia, she began playing tennis at age six under her father's guidance. Seles's career was marked by early success, winning her first professional title in 1989 and becoming the youngest French Open champion at 16 in 1990. Her powerful two-fisted forehand and backhand made her a dominant force, earning her nine Grand Slam titles, including four Australian Opens, three French Opens, and two US Opens. Seles's career was tragically interrupted in 1993 when she was stabbed by a deranged fan, forcing her to take a two-year hiatus. Despite this setback, she made a remarkable comeback, winning her ninth Grand Slam at the 1996 Australian Open. Seles was a trailblazer, influencing future generations with her aggressive playing style. After retiring in 2008, she focused on advocacy and writing, publishing books on her experiences. Seles was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009, cementing her legacy as one of tennis's greatest figures.