Monica Seles

Monica Seles
Seles in 2002
Country (sports) Yugoslavia (1988–1992)
 Yugoslavia (1992–1994)
 United States (1994–2008)
ResidenceSarasota, Florida, United States
Born (1973-12-02) December 2, 1973
Novi Sad, SR Serbia, Yugoslavia
Height5 ft 10 in (1.78 m)
Turned pro1989
Retired2008 (last match in 2003)
PlaysLeft-handed (two-handed both sides)
Prize moneyUS$14,891,762
Int. Tennis HoF2009 (member page)
Singles
Career record595–122
Career titles53
Highest rankingNo. 1 (March 11, 1991)
Grand Slam singles results
Australian OpenW (1991, 1992, 1993, 1996)
French OpenW (1990, 1991, 1992)
WimbledonF (1992)
US OpenW (1991, 1992)
Other tournaments
Tour FinalsW (1990, 1991, 1992)
Olympic GamesBronze (2000)
Doubles
Career record89–45
Career titles6
Highest rankingNo. 16 (April 22, 1991)
Grand Slam doubles results
Australian OpenSF (1991, 2001)
French Open3R (1990)
WimbledonQF (1999)
US OpenQF (1999)
Team competitions
Fed Cup United States
W (1996, 1999, 2000)
Hopman Cup Yugoslavia
W (1991)
 United States
F (2001, 2002)
Medal record
Women's tennis
Representing  United States
Olympic Games
2000 SydneySingles

Monica Seles (born December 2, 1973) is a Serbian–American former professional tennis player. She was ranked as the world No. 1 in women's singles by the Women's Tennis Association (WTA) for 178 weeks (sixth-most of all time), and finished as the year-end No. 1 three times. Seles won 53 WTA Tour-level singles titles, including nine majors: eight as a teenager while representing Yugoslavia and the final one while representing the United States.

A teen phenomenon, Seles became the youngest-ever French Open champion in 1990 at the age of 16. She went on to dominate the women's circuit in 1991 and 1992, compiling a total of eight major championships while still a teenager. However, on April 30, 1993, Seles was the victim of an on-court attack when an obsessed fan of Seles' rival Steffi Graf stabbed Seles in the back with a knife as she was sitting down between games. Seles did not play professional tennis for over two years following the stabbing, struggling with depression and an eating disorder. After returning in 1995, Seles claimed a ninth major championship at the 1996 Australian Open, but was unable to consistently produce her best tennis. She played her last professional match at the 2003 French Open.

Seles was named one of the "30 Legends of Women's Tennis: Past, Present and Future" by Time. She was named the Yugoslav Sportswoman of the Year in 1985 and 1990, and the BTA Best Balkan Athlete of the Year in 1990 and 1991. Several players and historians have argued that Seles had the potential to become the most accomplished female player of all time had she not been stabbed. She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.