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These are the stories that have defined the open era.
Monica Seles' rise, tragic stabbing in 1993, and remarkable comeback to win her ninth major in the Open Era.
Key Takeaways
- Monica Seles was a dominant force in women's tennis before her stabbing in 1993.
- The attack was a tragic event that had a significant impact on her career and the tennis world.
- Seles' comeback showcased her determination and ability to overcome adversity.
- Her rivalry with Steffi Graf was a defining storyline of the era.
- Seles' 1996 Australian Open victory symbolized her successful return to top-level tennis.
Summary
- Monica Seles dominated women's tennis in the early 1990s, winning seven of the last eight majors she played.
- She defeated Steffi Graf in the Australian Open final shortly before the incident in 1993.
- On April 30th, 1993, during a match in Hamburg, Germany, Seles was stabbed by a German attacker, Gunter Parche.
- The attack was motivated by Parche's desire to prevent Seles from maintaining her world ranking ahead of Steffi Graf.
- The stabbing caused physical and emotional setbacks, derailing Seles' career temporarily.
- Steffi Graf returned to the top of women's tennis in 1993 following Seles' injury.
- Seles made a highly anticipated comeback in the summer of 1995, winning her first tournament back in Toronto.
- She reached the US Open final in 1995 but lost a close three-set match to Graf.
- In 1996, Seles won the Australian Open, marking her ninth major title and demonstrating her resilience and passion.
- The video highlights the impact of the stabbing on tennis history and Seles' inspiring return to the sport.
Full Transcript — Download SRT & Markdown
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April 30th, 1993, Hamburg, Germany.
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Monica Seles was at the top of the game.
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She'd won seven of the last eight majors she'd played.
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Most recently beating Steffi Graf in the Australian Open final.
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With powerful two-handed strokes on both sides.
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Seles seemed on her way to tearing up the record books.
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And then, a tragedy that shook the world.
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Seles on a changeover, suddenly stabbed.
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The world's top women's tennis player was stabbed in the back Friday.
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Between games of a match in Hamburg, Germany.
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Her attacker, a German, says he wanted to prevent Seles from maintaining her world ranking ahead of Germany's Steffi Graf.
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The assailant, Gunter Parche.
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Parche would have his wish granted.
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The injury would derail Monica, both physically and emotionally.
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In that same year, Graf returned to the top.
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Not until the summer of 1995 would Seles return.
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More popular than ever.
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The return to tournament tennis of Monica Seles.
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Tremendous response at the National Tennis Center in Toronto.
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And still formidable.
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In her first tournament back, an amazing effort, taking the title in Toronto.
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And then a superb run at the US Open.
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Going all the way to the finals before losing a tough three-setter to Graf.
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I wasn't sure if I would be back and playing tennis again.
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It's just amazing, I can't believe that this is real.
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Oh boy.
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Her next major was even more successful.
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With trademark passion, Seles won the '96 Australian Open, a testimony to her tenacity.
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It was her ninth major.
Topics:Monica SelesOpen Eratennis1993 stabbingSteffi Graftennis comebackAustralian OpenUS Opentennis historyGunter Parche
