Monica Seles, the attack that changed the history of tennis

In the field of women’s tennis, the panorama is dominated by the record of titles of Martina Navratilova, who for many is the best in this branch; however, according to the same Czech tennis player There had to be one who overcame her but couldn’t due to an attack: Monica Seles.

During 1993, the Serbian born began to dominate the WTA rankings, displacing Steffi Graf and winning the respect and admiration of fans of white sports; However, the fanaticism of one person for the German woman caused the young woman to have an attack that could have ended her life.

April 30, when accumulated 32 titles of the circuit and had no less than 178 weeks at the head of the ranking, when it was confronting a the Bulgarian Magdalena Maleeva a Steffi Graf fan -by name Günter Parche- circumvented security and during the change of sides proceeded to stab Seles in the back.

Fortunately for the Serbian tennis player, a reflex to move forward prevented it from happening to adults. Patch’s knife barely penetrated about three centimeters and did not affect more than a few muscles.

“I moved my legs when changing sides because I felt cold and, suddenly, that cold entered my back, “Seles recalled years later.

The scene, fortunately, was not captured by television cameras.

Patch’s motive for attacking Seles? The jealousy that he had displaced Graf from the top of the ranking of the WTA. Before the attack the Serbian tennis player had won the Roland Garros in 1990, 1991 and 1992; the Australian Open in 1991, 1992 and 1993; and the US Open in 1991 and 1992, with only 19 years.

Patch It was apprehended and sentenced to two years of ineffective detention. While Seles was recovering from injuries, at the same time he entered a depression.

“Patch acknowledged having stabbed me and he will return to his normal life while I am still recovering from an assault that could have killed me, “the tennis player even sentenced.

It was until 1995 that Seles was able to return to the tennis courts in the Montreal tournament, which he won. TOhe third event since the comeback would win his ninth and final Slam: the Australia Open.

Martina Navratilova, years after the attack, I would admit that the level Seles had given him to have finished above the individual Grand Slams records, above Margaret Court’s 24 and Graf’s 22. “I have no doubt that this guy changed the history of tennis “ assured.

EML