Monica Seles

Tennis Legend

Professional Tennis Player / Grand Slam Champion / Sports Icon

Born: December 2, 1973 | Nationality: Yugoslavian (later American)

Athlete Author

Expert Tip: Monica Seles was one of the most dominant players in women's tennis during the early 1990s, known for her powerful two-handed strokes from both sides.

Career Highlights

1Grand Slam Titles

Won 9 Grand Slam singles titles.

Including 4 Australian Opens, 3 French Opens, and 2 US Opens.

2World No.1 Ranking

Achieved #1 ranking at age 17.

Youngest ever French Open champion at 16 years old.

3Playing Style

Pioneered two-handed strokes from both sides.

Known for her aggressive baseline play and grunting.

4Comeback Story

Returned after 2-year hiatus following stabbing.

Won 1996 Australian Open in emotional comeback.

5Olympic Participation

Represented Yugoslavia and USA in Olympics.

Bronze medalist at 2000 Sydney Olympics.

Expert Tip: Seles held a 55-1 record in Grand Slam matches from 1991-1993 before her career was interrupted by the stabbing incident.

Personal Life

1Early Years

Born in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia).

Began playing tennis at age 6.

2Citizenship

Became U.S. citizen in 1994.

Lived in Florida during playing career.

3Post-Retirement

Published autobiography in 1996.

Active in charity work and sports commentary.

Career Statistics

1Singles Record

595-122 career win-loss record.

53 WTA Tour singles titles.

2Grand Slam Finals

13 finals appearances.

9 titles, 4 runner-up finishes.

3Career Earnings

Over $14 million in prize money.

Inducted into Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.

4Rivalries

Famous matches against Steffi Graf.

Also competed against Martina Navratilova and Arantxa Sánchez Vicario.

Expert Tip: Seles was the year-end world No.1 in 1991 and 1992, and won 8 of the 12 Grand Slam tournaments she entered from 1990-1993.