SBS50: Biggest Story 1993

In 1993 the world of tennis changed in an instant when Monica Seles was stabbed during a match against Magdalena Maleeva in Germany.

Monica Seles of the USA was stabbed in Germany in 1993 during the fourth round of the French Open Mandatory Credit: Clive Brunskill/ALLSPORT Credit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The perpetrator was an obsessive fan of German Steffi Graf, Seles’ main rival on the women’s tour.

Although her physical injuries took only a few weeks to heal, it took Seles more than two years to return to competitive tennis.

Following the stabbing, security was significantly tightened at professional tennis matches with spectators now kept at a distance from players.

Seles retired in 2008 with 9 singles career titles to her name.

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