Despite her long absence, Monica Seles made a triumphant return to the tennis world by defeating Kimberly Po in the first round of the Canadian Open with an impressive 6-0, 6-3 victory. Seles went on to claim the title, defeating Amanda Coetzer in the final, 6-0, 6-1. Seles, known for her powerful two-handed groundstrokes and innovative playing style, was one of the greatest players to ever grace the sport.
After starting her career at a young age in 1988, Seles quickly rose to the top of the rankings. In 1990, at the age of 16, she became the youngest player to win the Roland-Garros tournament, marking the beginning of her dominance in the sport. However, her career was tragically interrupted in 1993 when she was stabbed by a mentally unstable fan.
It took Seles over two years to return to the tour, but in 1995, she made a remarkable comeback at the Canadian Open. Despite feeling nervous and anxious, Seles displayed her mental strength on the court, easily defeating Po in straight sets. Her victory was a testament to her resilience and determination to overcome the dark period in her life.
Seles continued to have success on the tour, winning multiple tournaments and Grand Slam titles before ultimately retiring in 2008. Po, on the other hand, reached a career-high ranking of world No 14 in 1997 but was never able to capture a WTA title. Both players left their mark on the sport in their own unique ways, showcasing the ups and downs that come with life as a professional athlete.
