Archive · 26 Jul 2026
Monica Seles: From Stabbing to Triumph and Financial Success
Monica Seles was a top tennis player when she was attacked by a fan in 1993.
After recovering, she faced challenges, including losing her No.
1 ranking.
She came back stronger, changed how she managed her money and career, and became a successful businesswoman.
She also used her experiences to help others with similar health issues.
Monica Seles was stabbed by a fan during a tennis match in 1993.
The WTA voted to remove her No. 1 ranking while she recovered.
Seles returned to tennis in 1995 and changed her endorsement deals to include ownership and co-branded products.
She built a conservative investment portfolio and became a spokesperson for health initiatives.
Seles was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2022 and became the face of a patient support initiative.
- Who
- Monica Seles, a former world No. 1 tennis player
- What
- A knife attack and subsequent career challenges
- When
- April 30, 1993
- Where
- Hamburg, Germany
- Why
- The attacker, Gunter Parche, wanted to hurt Seles to benefit his idol, Steffi Graf.
Tennis Tour and Rivals
Monica Seles
Ranking Decision
Tennis Tour and Rivals
The WTA voted to remove Seles's No. 1 ranking while she recovered, allowing the market to decide who would fill the position.
Monica Seles
Seles believed this decision was unfair and reflected a lack of support from her rivals and the tour.
- Date of Attack
- April 30, 1993
- Attacker
- Gunter Parche
- Attack Location
- Hamburg, Germany
- Seles's Age at Attack
- 19 years old
- Seles's Ranking Before Attack
- No. 1
- Seles's Return to Tour
- August 1995
- Seles's Memoir
- Published in 2009
- Seles's Current Health Condition
- Myasthenia gravis