Big sport is a spectacular and exciting activity that attracts millions of people around the world. Especially when it comes to tennis. If you take a biography and a sports career, then few can boast of richness and drama. But Monica Seles is another case, her life is full of ups and downs.
Childhood and first tennis lessons
On December 2, 1973, in the city of Novi Sad, a daughter is born in the family of animator Karoy Seles and programmer Esther Seles. The girl became the second child in the family after her brother Zoltan. My father took Monica's education very seriously and from the age of 5 introduced the girl to tennis. The family did not have money for a professional trainer, and Karoy himself begins to train the girl in the parking lot near the house. The parking lot replaced the court, and instead of the net, a rope was pulled. Various tennis magazines acted as a textbook. Then, in childhood, the two-handed playing style was laid. Monica was a very fragile girl, and she did not have the strength to hold the racket with one hand, so she used two. This feature has remained with her throughout her career.
Children's career
The first children's tournament for Monica was held when she was 9 years old - the championship of Yugoslavia among children under 12 years old, Seles then became a champion. The next major victory was obtained at the European Championship next year. In 1984, tennis player Monica Seles received the title of athlete of the year of Yugoslavia. In 1985, Seles went to the Orange Bowl tournament in Florida. There, successful performances attract the attention of the famous coach Nick Boletiere. Monica's parents received an offer to move to Florida, in order to let the little tennis player develop. Immediately the Seles family could not move because of financial problems, but later, in 1986, the move still took place.
Big sport
At age 14, Monica's first victory in a professional tournament took place. And from next year, tennis player Monica Seles affirms the rank of professionals. The first tennis celebrity defeated in the finals was Chris Evert at a 1989 tournament in Houston. But Chris Evert took revenge that year at the United States Open Tennis Championships. In the tennis world, rumors spread about the appearance of a new star and a possible competitor for the invincible Steffi Graf. Next year, the Les Internationaux de France de Roland Garros tournament in France followed. Here, the athlete was able to reach the semifinals and first met with Steffi Graf. More eminent athlete did not allow herself to beat. And Monica was defeated. The result of the season was sixth in the world ranking
1990 was much more eventful for trophies. First, a victory was won at the Italian tournament Internazionali BNL d'Italia over Martina Navratilova. Then the invincible Steffi Graf was defeated at the Lufthansa Cup. And the most significant event of that year was the victory in the Grand Slam tournament. In the final, Steffi Graf was beaten. The last victory was the new age record of the Grand Slam tournament, before that the title of the youngest winner belonged to Spaniard Aranch Sanchez-Vicario.
Between 1991 and 1992, Monica Seles wins 6 Grand Slam tournaments. Steffi Graf kept only Wimbledon. It is worth noting that in 1991 Monica did not perform at this tournament, and in 1992 reached the final.
1993 tragedy
1993 began successfully for Monica. At the Australian Open Tennis Championships, Steffi Graf was beaten in the finals. In the spring, in Hamburg, the Citzen Cup tournament hosted a match between a couple: Magdalena Maleeva and Monica Seles. A stab in the back prevented Monica from winning that game. From the beginning of the first set, German fans were very aggressive towards Monica. The reason for this was the fact that Selesh surpassed their compatriot Earl. And one Gunther Parhe decided to rectify the situation in this way. After the attack, the tennis player was immediately hospitalized. Fortunately, the damage did not do much harm to the health of the athlete. But this event left a heavy emotional imprint on Monica, and after this tournament she stops performing. Emotional stress brought the athlete to the point that she equipped her house with security cameras and a high fence. And she spent all her time in this house, fearing a new attack.
Career renewal
It took 28 months for Seles to recover. And in 1995 she returned to tennis. Many good people helped her in this, including: her parents and older brother, and once Mohammed Ali visited Monica .
Upon returning to Seles sports, the world tennis association decided to divide the title of the first racket of the world between Graf and Monica. The Association took into account the fact that before the tragedy, Monica led the rating, and a further downgrade was not her fault.
The first tournament after returning was the Canadian Rogers Cup, and Amanda Kötzer from South Africa was beaten in the final. Fans and experts predicted Monica climb to the previous level, but fate decreed otherwise. The United States Open Tennis Championships ended with the defeat of Monica Seles from Steffi Graf. The last victory in the Grand Slam tournament was over Anke Huber.
In 1998, after the death of his father, Monica's career declines. However, in 2000, a tennis player won bronze at the Sydney Olympics. Since 2003, Seles ceases to perform in major tournaments, and in 2008 announces the end of his career.
Personal life
In April 2009, the book "Getting A Grip: On My Body, My Mind, My Self" was published, it tells the story of the tennis player’s severe depression and her return to the sport. The author of the memoir is Monica Seles herself. The personal life of the Hungarian tennis player made a sharp turn in 2009, after meeting with billionaire Tomi Golisano. In 2014, the couple announced their engagement.
On July 11, 2009, a new name appeared in the list of the international tennis hall of fame - Monica Seles. Photos of this legendary athlete can still be seen on the pages of tennis publications and sports newspapers. And no one will argue, she deserves it.