Book Excerpt: Facing Monica Seles

By Scoop Malinowski | Thursday, June 22, 2023

Monica Seles is far more than a Grand Slam champion.

The two-handed titan is a game-changing champion.

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Fellow execs, together with Venus Williams, Serena Williams and Jimmy Connors have praised Seles as an inspiring and influential champion.

Now, a brand new e book Facing Monica Seles chronicles precisely what opponents felt going through one of many biggest ball strikers to ever play professional tennis.

Monica Seles captured eight Grand Slams championships as a young person and was on her approach to GOAT standing till April, 1993 when a madman plunged a knife into her again throughout a horrific assault in Hamburg, Germany.

That vicious assault, which occurred when Seles was ranked No. 1 on the planet and competing towards Magdalena Maleeva, altered the evolution of tennis historical past.

This new e book Facing Monica Seles salutes and celebrates the lady referred to as by friends “an innovator”, “revolutionary” and “game-changer” and based on 18-time Grand Slam champion Chrissie Evert, “had she not had her injury, I believe without a doubt Monica would have been the greatest player ever.”

You can order Facing Monica Seles right here.

Here’s an excerpt from Facing Monica Seles.

Chris Evert: Monica introduced one other stage to the sport. She modified the entire complexion of the sport.

Steffi Graf: Even if there are shut phases within the match, she actually goes for her photographs and he or she – she is just not actually getting tense.

Steve Silverman: I believe it was the primary time I used to be on one of many foremost apply courts. I bear in mind I used to be on a courtroom practising and I heard my title referred to as on the walkie-talkie, ‘Steve Silverman, come to court one.’ I mentioned to myself, ‘I wonder what that’s about? Why am I going to Seles’ courtroom?’

It was me, Zoltan (brother) and her father (Karolj). First it was me and Zoltan alternating enjoying factors towards her on clay, which was not my factor. I bear in mind enjoying on exhausting courts together with her after that.

I’m standing behind her brother on the primary factors. He had unimaginable strokes and depth together with his footwork. We have been enjoying factors. She referred to as me to the online, requested me to decelerate my serve, which I by no means had occur to me earlier than. My serve wasn’t that good then.

She was fourteen, I used to be in all probability sixteen. It was possibly midway by the yr. When I first noticed her I didn’t know who she was. She grunted and killed each shot. She didn’t make errors. They advised me she didn’t play tournaments. She performed factors however no scoring. They needed her to play with no strain factors.

John Korff (Promoter/proprietor of Pathmark and A&P Tennis Classics in Mahwah, NJ): I used to be operating the Pathmark Tennis Classic (exhibition) in Mahwah, NJ. We needed to have a serious participant in it (in July 1991 after Wimbledon). At the time Octagon and Phil di Picciotti acquired us the gamers. I advised him I can not get IMG to reply about Monica Seles. He steered I name her trouble Zoltan immediately. Make a proposal to her brother. I wasn’t being sneaky attempting to go round anyone, I must pay him. At the time, I believe Monica was ranked three or 4 on the planet. This was earlier than the French Open.

So I referred to as Zoltan and mentioned, ‘I’m the man with the cash, you are the man with the sister. There’s no motive to get others concerned…’ He needed to fulfill in Tampa. I used to be coming from a household marriage ceremony in Barbados. He zoomed in on a tri coloration motorbike carrying some form of vibrant orange jumpsuit and a wacky helmet that appeared prefer it got here from The Jetsons (TV cartoon).

One of the primary issues they train at Harvard Business School (from the place Korff graduated) is keep one drink behind the opposite man. By the time Zoltan had his six drinks, I used to be proper behind him… and pondering, I can not sustain with this man!

Somehow I missed my flight to New Jersey, after about 4 hours with Zoltan. He gave me a experience to the resort on his motorbike. When we acquired to the resort, we made a deal – $300,000 for Monica to play the Pathmark Tennis Classic in Mahwah, NJ and an extra $50,000 extra to not speak about it till she acquired to Mahwah.

One of my contacts with the WTA mentioned I used to be loopy as a result of she’ll lose on the French Open and be ranked about 8 on the planet. So Monica received the French Open that yr (beat Arantxa Sanchez-Vicario to defend her 1990 title) and was No. 1 on the planet. So all of the sudden she pulled out of Wimbledon (with shin splints) and he or she could not speak about it. So everyone in tennis was questioning the place she was, what she was doing? It was a giant deal…

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy: I’ve loads of respect for Monica Seles. I believe to beat Monica, you simply have to hit loads of aces. I imply, that’s actually the important thing. With Monica there shall be lengthy rallies. You must get again loads of these booming balls from Monica. Monica places loads of strain on you. I did play one in every of my finest matches towards Seles. Twice after I performed her at match level and acquired just a little bit unfortunate in one in every of them.

She simply … she does not know tips on how to … tips on how to get nervous. I imply, she retains hitting the ball. It is just not like, okay, now I’m 15-40, possibly I ought to hit a few sluggish ones. It is simply growth, growth. She simply goes on the market and hits. I imply, not many women do this, and that’s the reason she is up there. That is why she received so many Grand Slams. The minute she will get nervous, she begins hitting more durable and that’s the key. I imply, many of the ladies they begin, oh, my, gosh, I can win in match. She does not have that. She simply goes on the market and, you recognize, she actually performs to win. She does not play to lose. That is particular.

Question: Lasting reminiscence of Monica off courtroom?

Brenda Schultz-McCarthy: She could be very enjoyable lady. She laughs on a regular basis.

Photo credit score: Getty