Biography

SANEX WTA TOUR singles titles: 47
SANEX WTA TOUR doubles titles: 6
Grand Slam singles titles: 9

Birthdate: December 2, 1973
Birthplace: Novi Sad, Yugoslavia
Residence: Sarasota, Florida, USA
Height: 5' 10.5" (1.79 m)
Weight: 155 lbs. (70 kg)
Plays: Left-handed (two-handed both sides)
Status: Pro (February 13, 1989)
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2000 HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: Oklahoma City, Amelia Island, Italian Open
FINALIST: San Diego, New Haven
SEMIFINALIST: Key Biscayne, Hilton Head, Sydney Olympic Games (Bronze Medallist)
QUARTERFINALIST: Scottsdale, Indian Wells, Roland Garros, Wimbledon, US Open
ADDITIONAL: U.S. Olympic Team

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1999 HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: Amelia Island, Fed Cup (U.S. Squad)
FINALIST: Toronto, Tokyo (Princess Cup)
SEMIFINALIST: Australian Open, Tokyo (Pan Pacific), Roland Garros, New Haven
QUARTERFINALIST: US Open
FOURTH ROUND: Lipton
THIRD ROUND: Indian Wells, Hilton Head, Wimbledon
ADDITIONAL: U.S. Fed Cup Team (Ties I, II & III)

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1998 HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: Montreal, Tokyo (Princess Cup)
FINALIST: Roland Garros, Moscow
SEMIFINALIST: Hilton Head, Fed Cup (U.S. Squad), Stanford, San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia
QUARTERFINALIST: Wimbledon, U.S. Open, Chase Championships
THIRD ROUND: Lipton, Amelia Island, Rome
ADDITIONAL: U.S. Fed Cup Team (Ties I & II)


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1997 HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo (Princess Cup)
FINALIST: Lipton, Hilton Head, Madrid, San Diego
SEMIFINALIST: Roland Garros
QUARTERFINALIST: Eastbourne, Stanford, Atlanta, U.S. Open, Chicago, Philadelphia


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1996 HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: Sydney, Australian Open, Eastbourne, Montreal, Tokyo-Nichirei, Fed Cup (U.S. Squad)
FINALIST: U.S. Open, Oakland
SEMIFINALIST: Madrid, Chicago
QUARTERFINALIST: Tokyo [Pan Pacific], Roland Garros, Atlanta Olympic Games
ADDITIONAL: U.S. Fed Cup Team (Ties II, and III), U.S. Olympic Team 

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1995 HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: Canadian Open
FINALIST: U.S. Open
ADDITIONAL: U.S. Fed Cup Team (Tie III)


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GRAND SLAM & CHASE CHAMPIONSHIPS HISTORY - SINGLES 
00 99 98 97 96 95 94 93 92 91 90 89 88 
AUSTRALIAN -- SF -- -- W -- -- W W W -- -- -- 
ROLAND GARROS QF SF F SF QF -- -- -- W W W SF -- 
WIMBLEDON QF 3R QF 3r 2r -- -- -- F -- QF 4r -- 
UNITED STATES QF QF QF QF F F -- -- W W 3r 4r -- 
CHASE CHAMPS -- QF 1R 1R -- -- -- W W W QF -- 


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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS - SINGLES
WINNER: 2000 - Oklahoma City, Amelia Island, Italian Open; 1999 - Amelia Island; 1998 - Montreal, Tokyo (Princess Cup); 1997 - Los Angeles, Toronto, Tokyo (Princess Cup); 1996 - Australian Open, Sydney, Eastbourne, Montreal, Tokyo-Nichirei, Fed Cup (U.S. Squad); 1995 - Canadian Open; 1993 - Australian Open, Chicago; 1992 - Australian Open, Roland Garros, U.S. Open, Virginia Slims Championships, Essen, Indian Wells, Houston, Barcelona, Tokyo Nichirei, Oakland; 1991 - Australian Open, Roland Garros, U.S. Open, Virginia Slims Championships, Lipton, Houston, Los Angeles, Tokyo Nichirei, Milan, Philadelphia; 1990 - Roland Garros, Virginia Slims Championships, Lipton, U.S. Hardcourts, Tampa, Italian Open, German Open, Los Angeles, Oakland; 1989 - Houston
FINALIST: 2000 - San Diego, New Haven; 1999 - Toronto, Tokyo (Princess Cup); 1998 - Roland Garros, Moscow; 1997 - Lipton, Hilton Head, Madrid, San Diego; 1996 - U.S. Open, Oakland; 1995 - U.S. Open; 1993 - Paris Indoors; 1992 - Wimbledon, Italian Open, Los Angeles, Canadian Open; 1991 - Palm Springs, U.S. Hardcourts, Hamburg, Italian Open, San Diego, Oakland; 1989 - Dallas, Brighton
SEMIFINALIST: 2000 - Key Biscayne, Hilton Head, Sydney Olympic Games (Bronze Medallist); 1999 - Australian Open, Tokyo (Pan Pacific), Roland Garros, New Haven; 1998 - Hilton Head, Stanford, San Diego, Los Angeles, Philadelphia; 1997 - Roland Garros; 1996 - Madrid, Chicago; 1990 - Washington, DC; 1989 - Roland Garros, Washington D.C., European Indoors; 1988 - New Orleans
ADDITIONAL: U.S. Fed Cup Team 1995, 1996, 1998, 1999; US Olympic Team 1996, 2000


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CAREER HIGHLIGHTS - DOUBLES
WINNER: 1998 - Tokyo Princess Cup (w/ Kournikova); 1997 - Tokyo Princess Cup (w/Sugiyama); 1992 - Italian Open (w/Sukova); 1991 - U.S. Hardcourts (w/Fendick), Italian Open (w/Capriati); 1990 - Italian Open (w/Kelesi)
FINALIST: 1999 - Lipton (w/M.Fernandez); 1998 - Philadelphia (w/Zvereva); 1997 - Chicago (w/Davenport)
SEMIFINALIST: 1998 - Moscow (w/Kournikova); 1993 - Chicago (w/Nagelsen); 1991 - Australian Open (w/A. Smith)
QUARTERFINALIST: 2000 - Scottsdale (w/Capriati), Indian Wells (w/Capriati); 1999 - Tokyo Pan Pacific (w/Kournikova), Hilton Head (w/Grande), Wimbledon (w/M.Fernandez), U.S. Open (w/M.Fernandez); 1997 - Philadelphia (w/Huber); 1996 - Tokyo-Nichirei (w/Sanchez Vicario)
THIRD ROUND: 1999 - Australian Open (w/Novotna)


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QUICK FACTS
* Claimed Olympic Bronze Medal in Sydney, beating home-town favorite Jelena Dokic in the medal match.
* Forced to withdraw from Los Angeles and Montreal due to left forearm tendonitis. First time she missed the Canadian Open since 1994.
* Saved match point in quarterfinal vs Sandrine Testud to reach final of Acura Classic in San Diego
* Equalled best result at Wimbledon since her comeback by reaching the quarterfinals, losing to defending champion Lindsay Davenport in three tough sets.
* Reached the quarterfinals of Roland Garros for the 9th time in as many attempts. Fell to eventual champion Mary Pierce of France.
* Won 2nd Italian Open title, 10 years after she won her first in 1990 over Martina Navratilova. Defeated young guns Maleeva, Sidot, Dokic, Morariu, and Mauresmo for the title. Lost just two sets along the way.
* Successfully defended her Bausch & Lomb Championships title without dropping a set. Due to rain, was forced to win 4 matches in 2 days, including victories over Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the quarterfinals and Conchita Martinez in the final.
* As a last minute entry, won first tournament of the 2000 season at the IGA Classic in Oklahoma City, without dropping a set. Defeated three seeded players en route to the title: Sarah Pitkowski (#8), Amanda Coetzer (#3), and Nathalie Dechy (#5). Scored a "double bagel" 6-0, 6-0 victory over Pitkowski in the quarterfinals.
* Working with a new coach, Bobby Banck, and using a new smaller Yonex Ultimum RQ Ti-2000 Long (110si head size) for the 2000 season
* Recipient of the 2000 "Flo Hyman Award" given to a female athlete who exemplifies dedication and perserverence in sport.
* Prevented in competing at the 2000 Australian Open and the Pan Pacific Open due to continuing right foot injury.
* Forced to withdraw from final four events of 1999 (Moscow, Linz, Philadelphia, Chase Championships) due to stress fracture in right foot (since Wimbledon)
* Reached final of Toyota Princess Cup in Tokyo for 6th time in 7 appearances, falling to top-seed Lindsay Davenport in two close sets, 7-5, 7-6(7-1)
* Ranked 5th, sat out Fed Cup final against Russia as teammates Lindsay Davenport and Venus and Serena Williams secured the title, winning 4-1
* Steamrolled past Rittner, Farina, Sugiyama, and Capriati to reach the QF at the US Open, before falling to Serena Williams 4-6, 6-3 6-2. Also reached the doubles QF with injured partner Mary Joe Fernandez, losing to the Williams sisters.
* As a wildcard, advanced to the semifinals of the Pilot Pen International, before falling to second seed Venus Williams
* Aiming for fifth consecutive du Maurier Open title in Toronto, in first event returning from foot and forearm injuries, defeated Tatiana Panova, Elena Likhovtseva, Barbara Schett, and Anne-Gaelle Sidot, before falling to world #1 Martina Hingis in title match.
* Lost first ever Fed Cup match to Silvia Farina during the semifinals vs Italy. Was replaced with Serena Williams for the reverse singles due to severe blisters and tendinitis in the right arm.
* Suffered a heartbreaking defeat in the third round of Wimbledon to Mirjana Lucic of Croatia 7-6, 7-6. Reached the Quarterfinals in doubles with Mary Joe Fernandez.
* Recovered from 4 week layoff due to bronchitis, fever, and ear infection to reach the semifinals at Roland Garros.
* Led US Fed Cup team into the semifinals by winning both singles matches (over Silvija Talaja and Iva Majoli) and doubles (with Chanda Rubin) in a 5-0 victory over Croatia. Moved to 11-0 lifetime in Fed Cup matches.
* Ended slump (3 consecutive round of sixteen losses) by winning first title on clay since 1992 at Amelia Island. Lost just 14 games in doing so, beating Amanda Coetzer, Conchita Martinez, and Ruxandra Dragomir in the final three rounds.
* Recipient of 1999 "Player Who Makes A Difference Award" presented by Family Circle Magazine and Hormel Foods.
* Sprained ankle is mid-February, returned at Evert Cup but was upset in the 3rd round by Henrieta Nagyova (#27)
* Moved up to #3 in late February 1999, highest position since 1997. Also reached #42 in doubles, her highest since 1991.
* Jumped to 4th in the rankings prior to 1999 Australian Open, where she defeated Sandrine Testud and Steffi Graf (for the first time in six years). Lost first match in Australia (37-1) to Martina Hingis in the semifinals. Her record at the Australian Open of 33 consecutive wins without a loss is the longest such streak in Grand Slam history (open era).
* Finished the 1998 season ranked #6 in singles and #53 in doubles. Earned $1,003,514 in prize money as well, marking the fifth year in her career (1990-92,1996) in which she earned over one million dollars.
* Won the COREL WTA Tour award as "Comeback Player of the Year" in 1998, the only player to receive this honor twice in her career (1995). Also nominated for the COREL WTA Tour award as "Most Exciting Player," which she won in 1995 and 1997.
* Defeated #4 Arantxa Sanchez Vicario for the third straight time in 1998 to win her fifth title in Tokyo. The Toyota Princess Cup is Monica's second title of 1998. She also won the doubles title (the sixth of her career) for the second year in a row, teaming with Anna Kournikova for the first time. They were seeded 4th.
* Advanced to quarterfinals at the US Open losing to top-seeded defending champion Martina Hingis.
* Won unprecedented 4th consecutive Canadian Open title with victories over Huber (#21), Hingis (#1), and Sanchez Vicario (#4). Her first title of the year and 42nd overall.
* Avenged loss in French Open final to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario by demolishing the Spanish #1 (ranked #4) 6-4, 6-0 in the Semifinals of the KB Fed Cup. Also defeated Conchita Martinez (ranked #7) 6-3, 3-6, 6-1 to win two matches for the American team.
* Following Wimbledon, was called upon for jury duty at her home in Sarasota. Served for one week and enjoyed the experience very much.
* Lived up to sixth seeded position at 1998 Wimbledon by advancing to the quarterfinals with victories over Sanchez Lorenzo, Fusai, Basuki, and Testud (avenging 1997 third round loss at Wimbledon). Fell to unseeded Natasha Zvereva, who had previously dismissed Steffi Graf.
* In her first event following the passing of her father, advanced to the final of Roland Garros (the first time since 1992) with defeats of world #3 Jana Novotna (the first time since the 1995 US Open) in the quarterfinals and world #1 Martina Hingis (for the first time in 6 career meetings) in the semifinals. Fell to Arantxa Sanchez Vicario in the Championship match.
* Father, Karolj, passed away on May 14, 1998 following a long battle with cancer. He was Monica's lifelong coach and best friend.
* Continued her unbeaten streak in Fed Cup play (6-0) following her two singles victories (vs Miriam Oremans, vs Amanda Hopmans) in the 1998 first round tie vs the Netherlands.
* Started working with Australian Gavin Hopper in March 1998, advanced to the Semifinals at the Family Circle Cup (her first event with Hopper as coach)
* Nominated for 1998 "Player Who Makes A Difference Award" presented by Family Circle Magazine and Hormel Foods.
* Started 1998 season at the Lipton, as she did in 1997
* Withdrew from 1998 Indian Wells
* Withdrew from 1998 Sydney and Australian Open events for "personal reasons," most likely due to her father's poor health
* Voted, by fans, as the 1997 "Most Exciting Player" on the COREL WTA Tour (also received this award in 1995)
* Ended 1997 on a sour note with losses to Serena Williams (Chicago QF), Irina Spirlea (Philadelphia QF), and Arantxa Sanchez Vicario (Chase Championships 1R)
* Won 1997 Tokyo (Princess Cup) over Sanchez Vicario for her 4th title at this event
* Upset in Quarterfinals at 1997 US Open by Irina Spirlea, after holding match point
* Won consecutive Hardcourt events in summer 1997 at Los Angeles (saving match point against Davenport in the final) and Toronto (her 3rd straight Canadian Open title)
* Pushed Hingis to 3 sets in Roland Garros Semifinals in 1997, the 5th time she advanced to the SF in 6 attempts.
* Advanced to Final of first 2 events of 1997, the Lipton and the Family Circle Cup, before falling to #1 Martina Hingis in both events
* Withdrew from the 1997 Sydney, Austalian Open, and Tokyo (Pan Pacific) events due to broken finger
* End of 1996, discovered she had broken her left ring finger; could not continue practising
* Took one month off from tour after Fed Cup Final to rest injured shoulder; returned at Chicago (lost in semifinals), Oakland (lost in final), Chase Championships of the Corel WTA Tour (retired in first round)
* Defeated Arantxa Sanchez Vicario 3 times in 1996 (Montreal - final, Tokyo-Nichirei - final, Fed Cup Final - decisive match)
* In 1996, advanced to final of U.S. Open for second year in a row, again losing to Steffi Graf; defeated Amanda Coetzer and Conchita Martinez along the way
* Defended Canadian Open title, in Montreal, by defeating Arantxa Sanchez Vicario
* Played for the first time on a team for the United States in 1996; Fed Cup Semifinals vs Japan (2-0), Atlanta Olympic Games (Quarterfinalist); Fed Cup Final vs Spain (2-0)
* Won first grass court title of career in 1996, at Eastbourne; defeating Nathalie Tauziat (6-4, 6-4), and May Joe Fernandez (6-0, 6-2)
* Streak of 25 straight victories at French Open ended in 1996 quarterfinals by Jana Novotna
* Published Autobiography entitled "Monica: From Fear to Victory," in 1996
* Seeded No. 1, defeated No. 8 Anke Huber to win 1996 Australian Open title; first Grand Slam title since returning from 27.5-month absence from Tour; was fourth title at Australian Open in four tries - owns 28-0 record in the event; became third player to reach 10 or more consecutive Grand Slam finals in the open era (Steffi Graf - 13 and Martina Navratilova - 11 are others); in semifinal versus Chanda Rubin, was two points from defeat and came back from a 2-5 deficit in final set
* During the 1996 Australian Open, sustained tendinitis of the left shoulder and a small tear of the lining of the shoulder socket
* Won 1995 Canadian Open, her first event back on the COREL WTA TOUR after a 27.5-month absence due to stabbing (see note below); set tournament record for least number of games played by the champion throughout the tournament (74); defeated Kimberly Po, Nathalie Tauziat, Anke Huber, Gabriela Sabatini and Amanda Coetzer; 6-0, 6-1 win over Coetzer in final broke tournament record for least number of games played in the final; title was 33rd of career
* In second tournament of her return and first Grand Slam event since 1993 Australian Open, reached final at 1995 U.S. Open; included wins over seeds Anke Huber, Jana Novotna and Conchita Martinez; fell to Steffi Graf in final 7-6, 0-6, 6-3
* On April 30, 1993, during a change-over while competing in quarterfinal against Magdalena Maleeva in Hamburg, Germany, was stabbed in back (just below the left shoulder blade) by 38-year-old German Guenter Parche; Seles was ranked No. 1 at the time of the attack
* In returning to competition on the COREL WTA TOUR in 1995, the Tour provided Seles with a co-No. 1 ranking for her first six tournaments or 12 months from the date of her first tournament. Then, Seles will be co-ranked based upon her ranking average which will be calculated using a reduced minimum divisor until she plays 14 tournaments or for 18 months from the date she participates in her first tournament; officially became ranked co-No. 1 on Tuesday, August 15, 1995, when she played first match of her return at the Canadian Open.
* After turning 20, December 2, 1993, entered record books as No. 3 player in terms of career titles as a teenager: 1. Chris Evert - 39; 2. Steffi Graf - 37; 3. Monica Seles - 32; 4. Tracy Austin - 29; 5. Hana Mandlikova - 16
* Absence from 1993 Roland Garros marks only second time in 13 years that women's top-ranked player missed a Grand Slam; Seles missed 1991 Wimbledon; Chris Evert missed 1980 Australian Open; Martina Navratilova missed 1979 Roland Garros. Since that time, Steffi Graf missed 1995 and 1996 Australian Open 
* Won 250th match by defeating Mary Pierce in quarterfinals of 1993 Paris Indoors
* Win over Martina Navratilova in 1993 Chicago final ended Navratilova's attempt to earn 13th title in that city
* Undisputed World Champion in 1992; also undisputed World Champion in 1991
* Won third consecutive Virginia Slims Championships in 1992; in 1990, became youngest player to hold champion's crown, at 16 years, 11 months; in 1990 final match against Gabriela Sabatini, was extended to five sets 6-4, 5-7, 3-6, 6-4, 6-2 for a first-ever five-set Virginia Slims Championships final (lasted 3 hours, 47 minutes); first women's match to go five sets since Bessie Moore beat Myrtle McAteer 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 2-6, 6-2 at U.S. National Championships in Philadelphia in 1901; successfully defended Virginia Slims Championships crown in 1991 by defeating Martina Navratilova 6-4, 3-6, 7-5, 6-0 in final; accepted wild card to play in 1995 WTA TOUR Championships, but unable to play due to tendinitis in left knee and a sprained right ankle
* Seventh Grand Slam singles title came at 1992 U.S. Open in just 13 Grand Slam attempts, second fastest in Open-era behind Margaret Court (won seven titles in 10 attempts); Martina Navratilova won seven titles in 31 attempts
* By winning 1992 Roland Garros, became first woman to win three consecutive Roland Garros titles since Hilde Sperling won in 1935-37
* Title at 1992 Barcelona was 25th; at 18 years, 4 months, broke Tracy Austin's mark as youngest player to achieve 25 singles titles
* Passed Steffi Graf's second-place record of 17 singles titles before her 18th birthday; Seles won 18th title at 1991 Milan; Tracy Austin won 23 titles before her 18th birthday; 1991 Australian Open was 10th career title by age 17; only other player to achieve this was Tracy Austin 
* Passed $7 million-mark in career earnings at 1993 Australian Open; surpassed $6 million at 1992 U.S. Open; passed $3 million at 1991 U.S. Open; passed $2 million at 1991 Australian Open (her second Grand Slam title); passed million-dollar mark in career earnings at 1990 Wimbledon, at the time, youngest to do so at 16 years, 7 months (Jennifer Capriati became the youngest at 1992 Wimbledon at 16 years, three months)
* Had streak of 21 consecutive finals (tying her with Graf); did not lose prior to a final from 10/3/90 (lost to Amy Frazier in Tokyo Indoors quarterfinals) until 3/18/92 (lost to Jennifer Capriati in Lipton quarterfinals); Navratilova holds record by reaching 23 consecutive finals from June 12, 1983-November 25, 1984
* Reached final of all but one tournament in 1991 and 1992 (1992 Lipton quarterfinal finish was only exception); also reached final in both tournaments played in 1995
* Became second-youngest U.S. Open champion in 1991, age 17 years, 9 months, 5 days, following 1979 champion Tracy Austin who was 16 years, 9 months; the 17-year, one-month gap between Seles and finalist Martina Navratilova was the widest in Grand Slam final competition in open era; second largest age difference was at 1973 Roland Garros when Margaret Court, 30 years, 10 months, defeated Chris Evert, 18 years, six months, a 12 year, four month gap 
* In 1991 became only seventh player to win 10 or more tournaments in a single year: Austin (1980), Court (1973), Evert (1972-77, 1982, 1985), Graf (1987-90), King (1971), Navratilova (1978-80, 1982-86)
* By winning $2,457,758 in 1991, surpassed Martina Navratilova's 1984 record of $2,173,556 earned in one season; had 1992 season earnings of $2,622,352; Seles' single-season earnings' record was broken by Steffi Graf in 1993 with $2,821,337; that record was broken in 1994 when Arantxa Sanchez Vicario earned $2,943,665
* At 1991 San Diego, age 17 years, eight months, paired with Jennifer Capriati, at 15 years, four months, became youngest finalists in Open-era; each were a month younger than Tracy Austin and Andrea Jaeger in 1980 Tampa final
* Is only third player in the Open-era to capture the Australian and Roland Garros in same calendar year; other two were Margaret Court and Steffi Graf 
* Became only fifth player to be ranked No. 1 in the world since 1975; other four are Chris Evert, Martina Navratilova, Tracy Austin and Steffi Graf; Arantxa Sanchez Vicario became the sixth No. 1 on February 6, 1995
* On March 11, 1991, ended Steffi Graf's record reign in No. 1 spot for 186 weeks
* Is the youngest No. 1-ranked player in tennis history (for women and men) at 17 years, 3 months, 9 days (Tracy Austin was 17 years, 3 months, 26 days when she was ranked No. 1, April 7, 1980)
* In 1991, at first Australian Open appearance, became youngest-ever champion at 17 years, one month, 24 days; Margaret Smith was 17 years, 6 months in 1960 when she won
* At 1990 Italian Open, upset Martina Navratilova 6-1, 6-1 in final; first time in four meetings (won doubles title at same event with partner Helen Kelesi); also defeated Martina Navratilova 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(8-6) in final at 1990 Los Angeles; defeated her a third consecutive time at 1990 Oakland final 6-3, 7-6(7-5) 
* At 1990 German Open, upset Steffi Graf 6-4, 6-3 in final; first time in four meetings 
* At 1990 Roland Garros, upset Steffi Graf 7-6(8-6), 6-4 in final; second consecutive time to defeat Graf in 1990; became the youngest player at 16 years, 6 months, to win a Grand Slam singles event since Lottie Dod won Wimbledon in 1887 at 15 years, 10 months
* Quarterfinal loss to Zina Garrison Jackson at 1990 Wimbledon ended a personal-best 36-match, 6-tournament win-streak that began at 1990 Lipton; tied for eighth in longest win-streaks in the open era; also had 34-match win streak in 1992-93 
* Reached semifinals of 1989 Washington, DC, in first tournament playing as a professional; defeated Larisa Savchenko 6-0, 6-2, Robin White 6-3, 6-0, and upset Manuela Maleeva-Fragniere 6-2, 6-4 before defaulting to Zina Garrison in semifinals due to an ankle injury sustained in quarterfinal match
* In only second tournament as a pro, upset No. 1-seed Chris Evert in final of 1989 Houston 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 
* Seles first entered the rankings in October 1988 as an amateur at No. 88; by end of first year of competition, had climbed to No. 6
* In 1988 Boca Raton, upset Helen Kelesi in her first match in a pro event
* 1991 Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year; voted on by 120 sports writers and broadcasters; received 60% of the votes and became the youngest winner since Mary Lou Retton in 1984; win marked the 23rd time in 61 years that a tennis player captured this honor; named 1992 AP Female Athlete of the Year for second consecutive year
* Recipient of 1995 COREL WTA TOUR Comeback Player of the Year Award by acclamation; in first-ever awarded voted on by fans, named the 1995 Most Exciting Player (also won in 1997); 1992 COREL WTA TOUR Player of the Year by acclamation; also 1991 COREL WTA TOUR Player of the Year and 1990 COREL WTA TOUR Most Improved Player; nominated for 1993 COREL WTA TOUR Player of the Year Award
* Named the 1995 TENNIS Magazine Comeback Player of the Year; 1991 and 1992 ITF Women's World Champion; recipient of first Ted Tinling Diamond Award in 1990 for enhancing the sport of women's tennis and embodying grace and style (presented by Virginia Slims); Presented with 1990 Rado Topspin Award for overall sportsmanship and dedication to game; Named 1989 TENNIS Magazine/Rolex Watch Female Rookie of the Year
* Ranked No. 25 on Racquet magazine's fall 1995 Most Powerful People In Tennis list; only active female tennis player on list
* Chosen as the No Nonsense American Woman of the Month for September 1995 by the No Nonsense American Woman Council on Women's Issues; named one of People magazine's Most Intriguing People of 1995; voted the 1995 Professional Female Athlete of the Year by fans, sponsored by the United States Sports Academy in conjunction with USA TODAY newspaper and Turner Sports broadcasting
* Coached by father, Karolj Seles, until his death on May 14, 1998
* Tennis endorsements include Yonex racquets and Nike clothing and shoes
* Represented by International Management Group (IMG)
* Began playing tennis at age 7.5


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PERSONAL
Father, Karolj, was a cartoonist and television director; mother's name is Esther... Became a U.S. citizen in Miami, Florida, on March 16, 1994 with her mother... Was a very good ice skater when younger... Has read and studies the life of Greta Garbo... Outside interests include modeling (has appeared in Vogue, Elle, Seventeen and on the cover of Sports Illustrated, Shape, and TENNIS), horseback riding, basketball, guitar (is a Jimi Hendrix fan), reading autobiographies, hiking, swimming and working with Special Olympics athletes... Learning to speak French... Had pet dog, Astro, who travelled with her (now has dog named Ariel)... Collects stuffed animals... Partner All-Star Cafe, a New York sports restaurant, with athletes Andre Agassi, Shaquille O'Neal, Joe Montana, Wayne Gretzky, Tiger Woods and Ken Griffey, Jr... Would like to attend college one day and work with children. 


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SANEX WTA TOUR RANKING (SEASON-ENDING, SINGLES)
1999-6 | 1998-6 | 1997-5 | 1996-2*** | 1995-1** | 1994-NR | 1993-8* | 1992-1 | 1991-1 | 1990-2 | 1989-6 | 1988-86
Highest Singles Ranking (As of February 13, 2000): No. 1
(March 11-Aug. 4, 1991; Aug. 12-18, 1991; Sept. 9, 1991-June 6, 1993; August 15-November 26, 1995)
Highest Doubles Ranking (As of February 13, 2000): No. 16 (April 22, 1991)

*Ranking reflects only four tournaments as a result of inability to play due to stabbing at Hamburg tournament.
**Co-ranked No. 1 with Steffi Graf August 15, 1995-October 27, 1996; November 18-24, 1996
***Co-ranked No. 2 with Arantxa Sanchez Vicario November 4-17, 1996; November 25-December 22,1996. On December 23, 1996 ranked lone No. 2, due to new ranking system