OFF: How Will You Remember Monica Seles?
Posted by Aaress Lawless on Feb 15, 2008 | Print | Email | Bookmark | Free Subscription
By now, most of you have heard that Monica Seles officially announced her retirement from tennis yesterday. It was hardly a surprise after her five-year comeback attempt, but it did cause me to pause and reflect on what an inspiration she has been to millions of fans around the world.
Today’s Open Forum Friday discussion is your chance to share your thoughts on Seles and her legendary career.
Will you think about her nine Grand Slam titles, her amazing prowess on clay, her inspirational comeback to the Tour after being stabbed, or her class-act demeanor both on and off the court?
Before leaving your thoughts in the comments, take a look at what accolades will be written in the tennis history books about Monica.
- Won nine Grand Slam singles titles (four at Australian Open, three at Roland Garros, two at US Open); last one was 1996 Australian Open; last time reaching final was 1998 Roland Garros (just three weeks after father’s death - finished runner-up to Sánchez-Vicario); last one played was 2003 Roland Garros (lost first round to Nadia Petrova - was last match played).
- Youngest-ever winner of Roland Garros (16 years, 6 months).
- Youngest-ever winner of Tour Championships (16 years, 11 months).
- Won 53 career Tour singles titles (ninth-most all-time).
- Held No.1 for 178 non-consecutive weeks (fifth-most all-time); rose to No.1 for first time on March 11, 1991, becoming youngest-ever at the time (now second-youngest, passed by Hingis); year-end No.1 twice (1991, 1992).
- Earned $14,891,762 in career prize money (ninth all-time).
- Member of winning American Fed Cup Teams in 1996, 1999 and 2000.
- Winning seven of eight Grand Slams contested prior to 1993 stabbing; only Graf bettered that with eight of nine between 1988-1990.
Everyone, thank you for participating in today’s Open Forum Friday!
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karthik | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
She is the player we cant forget for years …
I cant think of anyone making such a remarkable and inspirational comeback…
ben m. | Feb 15, 2008 | Reply
I will never forget training as a teenager in the summers at Nick Bolletieri’s in Bradenton, Florida. When going to the courts to train everyday, I would see Nick training this little girl who hit the living **** out of the ball. Me and a bunch of the guys and girls in my group would just sit and watch. Nobody knew her at the time. Her parents, who worked the snack bar at Nick’s camp because they had no money only a child who would eventually become their meal ticket. I remember thinking at the time, this girl is going to be the #1 in the world and may be the best woman to ever play the game. Well, that hasn’t changed in my mind. Even though her career was cut short because of an individual with a devious plan, I think you can ask Steffi or anyone else in the game. That little girl had the best stuff I’ve ever seen. She came out of nowhere from nothing and shocked the world. She didn’t shock me though. I would see her training under Nick’s constant sessions with her and she practiced a lot even in the hot Bradenton summers multiple times a day. It really upsets me to think about what could have been because she was a legend and nobody really realizes it besides a small few.
Todd Blakely | Feb 16, 2008 | Reply
I think Monica should be considered one of, if not the best of all time. She played the game like no one else. She is the pioneer of the modern game, all the way down to her grunting as well as her power and precision. It makes one wonder what she would have done if not for the stabbing. Even after that she remained one of the truly gracious players of all times. I hope that as time goes by the tennis world comes to understand what a truly great champion and sports person she is. Monica you will be missed.
Mike | Feb 19, 2008 | Reply
I feel she is the best of all time. She was only 3 grand slams behind Graf before the stabbing and 4 years younger. I have never seen anybody play with such ferocious intensity.
Juan Manuel Gutierrez | Mar 19, 2008 | Reply
Class, Power and unending Grace. I will never forget her sadness and shock at being so cowardly attacked. Never a hint of fear or anger. Monica will forever be remembered as an amazing human being who also played great Tennis.