I am going through some old videotapes and making them into DVDs. What a treasure I just found of Monica playing Venus in the 2002 Australian Open. A 3-set match. Guess who won?
Also found one of Monica playing Steffi when she was a teenager. What an awesome player she was.
Just looking for other fans here.... I don't remember when she came back from the stabbing.....
Full Version: Monica Seles Fans
SanDiego - apparently you've got some catching up to do. Every Seles fan here not only saw that 2002 match but certainly knows the result. It was a great match and everyone once again saw what Monica was capable of when she was in shape, well trained, and match tough. At times, Venus didn't know what hit her - granted it was said that she was having an injury problem during that tournament but she was certainly moving great.
Of course Seles beat Graf at the majors two or three times - when she was still a teenager. At the FO and the Australian Open for sure. She would have beaten her a few more times from the spring of 93 to the fall of 95 if Graf's crazed "never a day in jail" fan hadn't stabbed her.
Of course Seles beat Graf at the majors two or three times - when she was still a teenager. At the FO and the Australian Open for sure. She would have beaten her a few more times from the spring of 93 to the fall of 95 if Graf's crazed "never a day in jail" fan hadn't stabbed her.
I love Seles more than any other player (male or female) in tennis. I saw her play when she returned after the stabbing & the rehab @ what was once the Manhattan Beach Tournament. It was her 1st tournament that she played in since that tragedy & she played L. Davenport for the final. One would have thought that since Davenport was playing in her own "backyard" that she would have gotten most of the support. It turned out to be the opposite. The entire stadium was rockin & rollin for Monica. I can honestly say it was one of the greatest sports event I personally ever witnessed....Btw, I loved her grunts!
We've discussed Moan-ica many times over the years on this board. She's probably one of the most popular athletes among our community. Her match with Capriati at the US Open in '91 or '92 is still my favorite women's match of all time. It changed the women's game forever.
Did anyone else see the TV shots of her in the audience at this year's Open? She looked amazing!
Did anyone else see the TV shots of her in the audience at this year's Open? She looked amazing!
Monica rules! I so agree, MM, about that Capriati match. It was such a fearless match by two young ladies who didn't have an inkling of how complicated their lives would become. They were two incredibly talented driven athletes hitting away with nothing to lose. I think JenCap was the more emotional of the two at that time which hurt her after the loss. You also didn't see the extreme nervousness that seems to have plagued the women's tour over the last few years. Just hard hitting, relentless spirit, and those glorious angles from Monica.
QUOTE(Bryan @ Sep 23 2007, 06:28 PM) 
SanDiego - apparently you've got some catching up to do. Every Seles fan here not only saw that 2002 match but certainly knows the result. It was a great match and everyone once again saw what Monica was capable of when she was in shape, well trained, and match tough. At times, Venus didn't know what hit her - granted it was said that she was having an injury problem during that tournament but she was certainly moving great.
Of course Seles beat Graf at the majors two or three times - when she was still a teenager. At the FO and the Australian Open for sure. She would have beaten her a few more times from the spring of 93 to the fall of 95 if Graf's crazed "never a day in jail" fan hadn't stabbed her.
Not so much. I know there are Monica fans here, but haven't seen much discussion lately. 2002 was a long time ago! You really think everyone here remembers that match? I was just trying to drum up some discussion. Geez, you guys are so mean. You stereotype yourselves--gay men really do hate women. It would seem more beneficial to try to get along....especially here where we might have some common interests. I give up.
QUOTE(Munson Man @ Sep 23 2007, 08:02 PM)
Did anyone else see the TV shots of her in the audience at this year's Open? She looked amazing!
There's the old saying, "what's in comes out," and Monica is a shining example. She looks better and better as the years go by because she's so beautiful on the inside, and that shows in her appearance.
QUOTE(SanDiego10S @ Sep 23 2007, 09:01 PM)
Geez, you guys are so mean. You stereotype yourselves--gay men really do hate women. It would seem more beneficial to try to get along....especially here where we might have some common interests. I give up.
A pearl of wisdom from the Talmud: "We do not see things as they are. We see them as we are."
We don't hate women, we aren't agents of patriarchal oppression, and I find it a bit shocking that you came to that conclusion. Frankly, there was nothing mean about what Bryan said. But SD10S, you read all sorts of mean spirit into a perfectly civil response because, I'm guessing, of whatever you have going on inside. As much as we all love Monica, we've already hashed and rehashed the subject on countless threads. Please, you should see the response to gay icon Gabe Kapler in the baseball threads.
Thanks, BoSox, for making that clear. Nothing mean said nor intended...Monica is practically royalty here on outsports amongst the tennis fans and diehards. That Australian Open quarterfinal between Venus and Monica was a great match and well remembered for good reason: they both played great tennis.
In terms of tennis icons, 2002 is like yesterday. We have people here still fighting over matches from the 80s! (Random example.)
To illustrate the things we remember ...
Someone earlier mentioned Monica's first event after the stabbing as being in California. Wasn't Monica's first tourney back after the stabbing the Canadian Open in 1995? I remember Monica kicking Sabatini's ass in the semifinals and winning the entire event. I'm pretty sure it shocked everyone because it was Monica's very first event back. No? And when Serena came back from a long time off and won Miami once, beating Dementieva in the final, she talked about Monica being an inspiration that you can come back from serious injury and kick everyone's butt in an event.
The Seles/Capriati US Open semi was in 1991. Jennifer had upset defending champ Sabatini 6-3, 7-6 in the quarters. She stood waaay in on Gaby's second serve and purposely squeaked her shoes against the court to create a distraction. Boo!
To illustrate the things we remember ...
Someone earlier mentioned Monica's first event after the stabbing as being in California. Wasn't Monica's first tourney back after the stabbing the Canadian Open in 1995? I remember Monica kicking Sabatini's ass in the semifinals and winning the entire event. I'm pretty sure it shocked everyone because it was Monica's very first event back. No? And when Serena came back from a long time off and won Miami once, beating Dementieva in the final, she talked about Monica being an inspiration that you can come back from serious injury and kick everyone's butt in an event.
The Seles/Capriati US Open semi was in 1991. Jennifer had upset defending champ Sabatini 6-3, 7-6 in the quarters. She stood waaay in on Gaby's second serve and purposely squeaked her shoes against the court to create a distraction. Boo!
QUOTE(Gaga4Gaby @ Sep 24 2007, 07:04 AM)
Jennifer had upset defending champ Sabatini 6-3, 7-6 in the quarters. She stood waaay in on Gaby's second serve and purposely squeaked her shoes against the court to create a distraction. Boo!
Thanks for that tidbit G4G. I wonder if Radwanska studied tapes of that match to prepare her strategy against Sharapova.
QUOTE(Gaga4Gaby @ Sep 24 2007, 07:04 AM)
...Someone earlier mentioned Monica's first event after the stabbing as being in California. Wasn't Monica's first tourney back after the stabbing the Canadian Open in 1995?...
You're right, my bad...Must be my alzheimers.
It still was a classic game @ the Manhattan Beach tourney.
Of course Monica's first two tournaments back after the stabbing were the 95 Canadian Open (where she won) and the US Open where she lost to Graf in three sets in the final, including Monica's 6-0 drubbing of Steffi in the second set. This was actually an indication of what was to come for Monica more than a few times over the second half of her career: she wasn't able to keep up her incredible level of intensity for the entire match, especially third sets. The famous examples include that 95 US Open final against Steffi, the even more famous 98 FO final loss to ASV(another 6-0 second set for Monica - she was coming back from the death of her father with no match play whatsoever) and that AO loss (2000 or 2001?) to Capriati where Monica was up a set and a break. Post-stabbing, Monica was not nearly as single minded as she had been...the demons had been let in, and with her father's long difficult illness, her own migraines as a result of the stabbing, and the way her foot problems screwed up her fitness routines over and over, Monica never experienced being the dominant player again. She often showed those great flashes, a big win here and there and some great tournaments, but it was never easy...
SanDiego, keep the posts (especially anything about Monica Seles) coming. I'm sure nothing personal was meant by a couple of the posts here, but I can totally see how you might take it as rude.
I'm not one to comment on posting ettiquette (and I really dont mean to start now), but I just didnt want you to think you're crazy as yours was my immediate reaction as well. Maybe I should have sent this as a private e-mail....oh well.
Anyway, although many others have said it here and in other threads, I would love to see a Monica comeback. And although I would love to see her win titles as well, I'd settle for any kind of comeback as long as Monica keeps smiling like she seems to always be lately.
I have incorporated her "Oh yeaaah, definitely" in to my everyday speak to this day.....that may lose its translation here. But it's a great impersonation....almost as good as my impersonation of Mary Carillo impersonating Stefan Edberg "What can I say, I had my shaaaancez"
Sorry, my rambling posts are back....it's been too long, fellas. Um, I mean people.
I'm not one to comment on posting ettiquette (and I really dont mean to start now), but I just didnt want you to think you're crazy as yours was my immediate reaction as well. Maybe I should have sent this as a private e-mail....oh well.
Anyway, although many others have said it here and in other threads, I would love to see a Monica comeback. And although I would love to see her win titles as well, I'd settle for any kind of comeback as long as Monica keeps smiling like she seems to always be lately.
I have incorporated her "Oh yeaaah, definitely" in to my everyday speak to this day.....that may lose its translation here. But it's a great impersonation....almost as good as my impersonation of Mary Carillo impersonating Stefan Edberg "What can I say, I had my shaaaancez"
Sorry, my rambling posts are back....it's been too long, fellas. Um, I mean people.
QUOTE(Bryan @ Sep 24 2007, 11:25 PM)
Of course Monica's first two tournaments back after the stabbing were the 95 Canadian Open (where she won) and the US Open where she lost to Graf in three sets in the final, including Monica's 6-0 drubbing of Steffi in the second set. This was actually an indication of what was to come for Monica more than a few times over the second half of her career: she wasn't able to keep up her incredible level of intensity for the entire match, especially third sets. The famous examples include that 95 US Open final against Steffi, the even more famous 98 FO final loss to ASV(another 6-0 second set for Monica - she was coming back from the death of her father with no match play whatsoever) and that AO loss (2000 or 2001?) to Capriati where Monica was up a set and a break. Post-stabbing, Monica was not nearly as single minded as she had been...the demons had been let in, and with her father's long difficult illness, her own migraines as a result of the stabbing, and the way her foot problems screwed up her fitness routines over and over, Monica never experienced being the dominant player again. She often showed those great flashes, a big win here and there and some great tournaments, but it was never easy...
I thought that in both the 95 USO and 98 FO finals, Seles's opponents played possum in the second set b/c they knew they could take her in a third. I hate that technique, but it worked both times.
i got into tennis because of monica...she is the brightest star the sport has ever known.
i always disliked the cold, mechanical steffi graf...but after "the incident"....i loathed her.
still do.
i always disliked the cold, mechanical steffi graf...but after "the incident"....i loathed her.
still do.
QUOTE(snicks @ Sep 26 2007, 02:24 AM)
...i always disliked the cold, mechanical steffi graf...but after "the incident"....i loathed her.
still do.
Wow! I never thought I'd hear someone say my exact same sentiments...Even though I know that Stefi did not know the mentally deranged assailant...
I also loved the fact that in the midst of such tragedy & adversity (to say the least), Monica was somehow able--as best as she could--rise above it. That to me says lots about who she is & I respect her for that.
With all due respect, I have to say that it makes absolutely no sense to loathe Steffi Graf for what happened to Monica Seles. Perhaps in the moment I could understand misdirected resentments, but Steffi has no control over what some lunatic did in her name and, nearly a decade and a half later, it's obvious that Graf did not know how to properly react on a personal level and the immediate moments after the stabbing were strange and awkward. So, Steffi went on with what she did for a living. That's all she could do. I certainly wouldn't know how to react if someone stabbed my boss so that I'd get a promotion. Seriously.
It is not necessary to reduce your empathy for Steffi Graf as a human being in that situation in order to fully feel for the tragedy that occured when Monica Seles was robbed of her career and legacy.
It is not necessary to reduce your empathy for Steffi Graf as a human being in that situation in order to fully feel for the tragedy that occured when Monica Seles was robbed of her career and legacy.
I believe that immediately after the stabbing, Steffi visited Monica. They had immense respect for each other, although their styles were very different.
TRL
TRL
QUOTE(TRL @ Sep 26 2007, 04:08 PM)
I believe that immediately after the stabbing, Steffi visited Monica. They had immense respect for each other, although their styles were very different.
TRL
Yeah, she did, just once. I don't know that Steffi has commented about it, but Monica has said that they both cried and otherwise it was very awkward and nobody said much. After all, they weren't really friends and - at the time - were at the height of their rivalry.
QUOTE(Gaga4Gaby @ Sep 26 2007, 07:25 AM)
With all due respect, I have to say that it makes absolutely no sense to loathe Steffi Graf for what happened to Monica Seles...it's obvious that Graf did not know how to properly react on a personal level and the immediate moments after the stabbing were strange and awkward. So, Steffi went on with what she did for a living. That's all she could do...
I partially agree w/ you, but considering that she was in the limelight @ the time of the incident, she could have held a news conference & at the VERY LEAST condemned the act & could have wished Monica full recovery & "looked forward to her return." IMHO, her PUBLIC silence is what unnerved me, quite frankly.
QUOTE(SCTrojan @ Sep 27 2007, 12:13 AM)
I partially agree w/ you, but considering that she was in the limelight @ the time of the incident, she could have held a news conference & at the VERY LEAST condemned the act & could have wished Monica full recovery & "looked forward to her return." IMHO, her PUBLIC silence is what unnerved me, quite frankly.
I can see your point, but ultimately I feel like that's being too hard on Graf. For all her time at No. 1 in the world and for all her dominance, Graf was never comfortable being the center of attention and was intensely private. She did not seek out fame the way top players do today. While the act was commited in her name, I don't know that it's fair to say she was in the limelight after the incident. She was connected to it against her will, absolutely, but if anything did her best to distance herself from it. That's part of the criticism, after all.
I'd be curious to see or read some Grand Slam interviews from 1993 after the stabbing. I can't imagine that the media didn't ask Graf about Seles in post-match interviews, and I can't imagine that Steffi didn't briefly say something to the effect of what you have written. But I don't have any proof one way or the other. I do know that Steffi had no problem with the co-No. 1 ranking that was instated when Monica finally was ready to return to the Tour.
It's easy to look back and say that she should have done this or that. Considering Graf's personality and how unprecedented the stabbing was, regardless of whether or not Graf did or didn't react in the best way possible, I just can't believe that anyone would continue to hold anything against Steffi to this day.
Found this on a UK Seles fan site ...
QUOTE
Parche had attacked her because he was a fan of Graf and longed to see his heroine restored to her position as world No 1. He had his wish. Seles lay in a hospital bed, he walked free and Graf re-established herself as the leading player on the women’s Tour, regaining the No 1 ranking after the attack. Graf was able to do this because of the decision reached by most of Seles’s peers not to maintain her No 1 ranking during her convalescence. Gabriela Sabatini was the only player not to back the decision.
It’s perhaps unwise to make judgments, but one is left, at best, slightly surprised that Graf did not feel honour-bound to back Seles, given the extraordinary circumstances of the attack.
“People do ask that,” says Seles. “But I don’t know. What Gabriela did was very touching. It showed me what a special person she is. Steffi and I are fine, though. There’s no animosity between us and I wish her the best. I did realise more than ever, after the stabbing, that tennis is a business — a tough business. The other players are just waiting to take away your No 1 spot in any way they can. All those people that I toured the world with — I got on with them fine, but I suppose only two of them would really count as friends. Tennis is so competitive. I guess that’s the way it has to be.”
Graf visited Seles in hospital two days after the attack, but declared that she could not stay long because she was still playing in the tournament. Her attitude was considered callous and insensitive. “She just didn’t realise what I was going through. I’m the only person in sport this has happened to,” Seles explains. “Steffi had no idea of the impact it would have. It affected both our careers, but it really affected my life.”
It’s perhaps unwise to make judgments, but one is left, at best, slightly surprised that Graf did not feel honour-bound to back Seles, given the extraordinary circumstances of the attack.
“People do ask that,” says Seles. “But I don’t know. What Gabriela did was very touching. It showed me what a special person she is. Steffi and I are fine, though. There’s no animosity between us and I wish her the best. I did realise more than ever, after the stabbing, that tennis is a business — a tough business. The other players are just waiting to take away your No 1 spot in any way they can. All those people that I toured the world with — I got on with them fine, but I suppose only two of them would really count as friends. Tennis is so competitive. I guess that’s the way it has to be.”
Graf visited Seles in hospital two days after the attack, but declared that she could not stay long because she was still playing in the tournament. Her attitude was considered callous and insensitive. “She just didn’t realise what I was going through. I’m the only person in sport this has happened to,” Seles explains. “Steffi had no idea of the impact it would have. It affected both our careers, but it really affected my life.”
QUOTE(Gaga4Gaby @ Sep 27 2007, 03:58 PM)
Found this on a UK Seles fan site ...
In Monica's autobiography she complains about Steffi before and after the incident. They never were that friendly in the manner of Chris-Martina or even Roger-Evil Rafa. But in the bio Monica seems even more hurt by the overall tour's lack of reaction or compassion, with the exception of Gaby. Doesn't she single out Gaby as the only person who thought she should have retained her ranking?
Though I love Monica and much preferred her to Steffi, I'm not sure if I agree with her about the ranking issue. But it does seem like players on tour could have reached out to her a lot more than they did.
QUOTE(Two-hander @ Sep 27 2007, 06:01 PM)
Doesn't she single out Gaby as the only person who thought she should have retained her ranking?
Actaully, Gaby refused to vote. Period. I believe the actual quote was, "This is not to vote for." Sabatini was standing up for Monica the human being. For all the impact Gaby had on tennis, I actually think that might have been the finest moment of her professional career in a way.
As I read the posts of the articles referenced above it just takes me back to that time & reminds what happened. I remember clearly the whole "voting of the rankings" fiasco. And again, Steffi's silence just REALLY pissed me off. But I respect those who disagree w/ me. Steffi just seemed cold & indifferent to the situation. It seemed, like one of the articles stated, that all the players cared about was their ranking & nothing else, including Steffi. I'm sorry, but a tragedy like that one should learn to put aside one's ego & realize that the life of an innocent human being was @ stake. The end result could have been that Monica didn't survive the attack, which was what that megolomaniac was trying to accomplish. At any rate, there you have my take on it. Peace to all.
I don't think you can blame Steffi for the attack. The guy was a lunatic. But her silence about it afterwards speaks volumes. Through the two trials she remained publicly mute, never even voicing a hope that Parche would have to serve prison time. And - like every player except Sabatini and I thought one other - she was publicly silent about Monica's ranking when she finally overcame her demons and returned to the Tour.
It's also worth noting that the pre-stabbing Seles was a different person. She was much more focused on competition and not as engaging a personality. She returned to the game a much more evolved, complete person who was more personally likable. I think it's the post-stabbing Monica that most of us have fallen in love with. Essentially, that terible experience helped her grow as a person. I don't think it had that effect on Graf.
It's also worth noting that the pre-stabbing Seles was a different person. She was much more focused on competition and not as engaging a personality. She returned to the game a much more evolved, complete person who was more personally likable. I think it's the post-stabbing Monica that most of us have fallen in love with. Essentially, that terible experience helped her grow as a person. I don't think it had that effect on Graf.
I'm dating myself to say I actually fell in love with the pre-stabbing Monica. I was amazed by the dichotomous transformation of the giggling, flighty, speed-talking teenager she was off court to the supremely focused and fearless pit bull she became on court. How were those two characters ever the same person? I wondered. Of course, post-stabbing she was endearing for all the modest charm she displayed, win or lose. Both versions captivated me and still do.
Now, what's really so preposterous that I can't believe I'm actually writing it, is that I suspect a comeback is in the works. I know she turns 34 in December and conventional wisdom argues against her return after an absence of several years, but this is one strong-willed woman who, I believe, wants to say so long on her own terms and not because an injury forced her out. There are signs: Her significant weight loss, the practices with Vaidisova, the exhibitions with Navratilova and Morariu, the drills she's been seen doing at Bollettieri's, and that somewhat cryptic response she gave to an interviewer during the Henin/Serena US Open match (Paraphrasing: Do you ever think about being out there again? --- Well, who knows, maybe some day....) I wouldn't be surprised at all to see her enter a few tournaments in 2008 before calling it a career.
Now, what's really so preposterous that I can't believe I'm actually writing it, is that I suspect a comeback is in the works. I know she turns 34 in December and conventional wisdom argues against her return after an absence of several years, but this is one strong-willed woman who, I believe, wants to say so long on her own terms and not because an injury forced her out. There are signs: Her significant weight loss, the practices with Vaidisova, the exhibitions with Navratilova and Morariu, the drills she's been seen doing at Bollettieri's, and that somewhat cryptic response she gave to an interviewer during the Henin/Serena US Open match (Paraphrasing: Do you ever think about being out there again? --- Well, who knows, maybe some day....) I wouldn't be surprised at all to see her enter a few tournaments in 2008 before calling it a career.
GoodGuy--How nice of you to post that kind comment. I had signed off and not taken another peek on here because of all the dreadfully mean things said to me lately....life is short...etc. Who wants to spend it being used as a whipping girl. 
But in my peek today, I notice that I DID get some discussion going. So whoever said that I was dwelling in the past, and out of touch was --HA! ( wrong--Monica is a good CURRENT topic).
SanDiego, keep the posts (especially anything about Monica Seles) coming. I'm sure nothing personal was meant by a couple of the posts here, but I can totally see how you might take it as rude.
I'm not one to comment on posting ettiquette (and I really dont mean to start now), but I just didnt want you to think you're crazy as yours was my immediate reaction as well. Maybe I should have sent this as a private e-mail....oh well.
Anyway, although many others have said it here and in other threads, I would love to see a Monica comeback. And although I would love to see her win titles as well, I'd settle for any kind of comeback as long as Monica keeps smiling like she seems to always be lately.
I have incorporated her "Oh yeaaah, definitely" in to my everyday speak to this day.....that may lose its translation here. But it's a great impersonation....almost as good as my impersonation of Mary Carillo impersonating Stefan Edberg "What can I say, I had my shaaaancez"
Sorry, my rambling posts are back....it's been too long, fellas. Um, I mean people.
But in my peek today, I notice that I DID get some discussion going. So whoever said that I was dwelling in the past, and out of touch was --HA! ( wrong--Monica is a good CURRENT topic).
QUOTE(goodguy1106 @ Sep 26 2007, 01:31 AM)
SanDiego, keep the posts (especially anything about Monica Seles) coming. I'm sure nothing personal was meant by a couple of the posts here, but I can totally see how you might take it as rude.
I'm not one to comment on posting ettiquette (and I really dont mean to start now), but I just didnt want you to think you're crazy as yours was my immediate reaction as well. Maybe I should have sent this as a private e-mail....oh well.
Anyway, although many others have said it here and in other threads, I would love to see a Monica comeback. And although I would love to see her win titles as well, I'd settle for any kind of comeback as long as Monica keeps smiling like she seems to always be lately.
I have incorporated her "Oh yeaaah, definitely" in to my everyday speak to this day.....that may lose its translation here. But it's a great impersonation....almost as good as my impersonation of Mary Carillo impersonating Stefan Edberg "What can I say, I had my shaaaancez"
Sorry, my rambling posts are back....it's been too long, fellas. Um, I mean people.
I remember the first time I saw Monica play on tv. 1989 US open 4th round agains Chris Evert. It was Evert's last Open, last tournment period before retiring. She beat Monica, but after that is when Monica really turned herself into one of the best ever.
I never liked Zina Garrison again after that Open BBallfan! She beat Chris in the next round, spoiling one final match with Navratilova, who was already waiting in the semis.
Of course, I did want Garrison to win Wimby that year she was in the finals. Sorry, off topic.
I don't think the thought of a Seles return is that far-fetched. You figure all the years she was off the tour really allowed her body to recharge in ways that a person who has been playing non-stop until the age of 34 wouldn't have been able to do. I don't think she'll be a top 5 player, and I doubt even a top 10 (but maybe), but I do think she can still beat plenty of players, and she could be competetive for smaller titles.
Come on home Monica...we sure as hell miss ya!
Of course, I did want Garrison to win Wimby that year she was in the finals. Sorry, off topic.
I don't think the thought of a Seles return is that far-fetched. You figure all the years she was off the tour really allowed her body to recharge in ways that a person who has been playing non-stop until the age of 34 wouldn't have been able to do. I don't think she'll be a top 5 player, and I doubt even a top 10 (but maybe), but I do think she can still beat plenty of players, and she could be competetive for smaller titles.
Come on home Monica...we sure as hell miss ya!
Shep,
I am a Monica Seles 'die-hard' fan, and I agree with you.
In support, I repost the follow which I posted in early August:
For all of you Swimming and Diving fans, the two of you, myself included:
Did you see this?
NDIANAPOLIS ---- Dara Torres' 15th national title felt no different from her first a quarter-century earlier.
The oldest national champion in U.S. swimming history, Torres set an American record in the 50-meter freestyle Saturday night in her bid toward a possible fifth Olympics appearance.
"It's an awesome feeling," she said. "I can't put words on it to describe how I felt when I touched that wall and saw my time."
Competing in the pool in which she qualified for her first Olympics as a teenager in 1984, two years after her first national championship, the 40-year-old Torres came in at 24.53 seconds, a personal best that beat her American record of 24.63 set in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
TRL
I am a Monica Seles 'die-hard' fan, and I agree with you.
In support, I repost the follow which I posted in early August:
For all of you Swimming and Diving fans, the two of you, myself included:
Did you see this?
NDIANAPOLIS ---- Dara Torres' 15th national title felt no different from her first a quarter-century earlier.
The oldest national champion in U.S. swimming history, Torres set an American record in the 50-meter freestyle Saturday night in her bid toward a possible fifth Olympics appearance.
"It's an awesome feeling," she said. "I can't put words on it to describe how I felt when I touched that wall and saw my time."
Competing in the pool in which she qualified for her first Olympics as a teenager in 1984, two years after her first national championship, the 40-year-old Torres came in at 24.53 seconds, a personal best that beat her American record of 24.63 set in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
TRL
It's so hard to predict what a Monica return would look like. I'd say that she could overwhelm many players with her relentless attack game but who knows if she'd play that game the same way? She's probably a more complete player than she was in the early days when coming to net just wasn't necessary. Her serve deserted her at times late in her career yet was quite the asset when on. Would she keep both hands on the racket when hitting forehands? Anyone who plays tennis knows that the longer you play, the more your game keeps evolving and shifting. I'm sure she'd still do what she did best: blistering return of serves, ferocious groundtrokes, tough hard to reach lefty serves, and of course that mental focus on court. But could she stay sharp for three sets? Would she 'want' it bad enough to do the day in day out endurance training necessary to compete at the top level?
Always with the questions...
Always with the questions...
QUOTE(shep71 @ Oct 3 2007, 01:42 PM)
I never liked Zina Garrison again after that Open BBallfan! She beat Chris in the next round, spoiling one final match with Navratilova, who was already waiting in the semis.
Of course, I did want Garrison to win Wimby that year she was in the finals. Sorry, off topic.
I don't think the thought of a Seles return is that far-fetched. You figure all the years she was off the tour really allowed her body to recharge in ways that a person who has been playing non-stop until the age of 34 wouldn't have been able to do. I don't think she'll be a top 5 player, and I doubt even a top 10 (but maybe), but I do think she can still beat plenty of players, and she could be competetive for smaller titles.
Come on home Monica...we sure as hell miss ya!
Shep... if it makes u feel any better, I read the Zina cried after the match. I also wanted her to win Wimby the next year.
Wayyyy off topic.. I was rooting for Lori McNeil in the 94 semis against Martinez too. That would have been a Martina/Lori final.
I guess I feel a little better.
QUOTE(TRL @ Oct 3 2007, 05:56 PM)
Shep,
I am a Monica Seles 'die-hard' fan, and I agree with you.
In support, I repost the follow which I posted in early August:
For all of you Swimming and Diving fans, the two of you, myself included:
Did you see this?
NDIANAPOLIS ---- Dara Torres' 15th national title felt no different from her first a quarter-century earlier.
The oldest national champion in U.S. swimming history, Torres set an American record in the 50-meter freestyle Saturday night in her bid toward a possible fifth Olympics appearance.
"It's an awesome feeling," she said. "I can't put words on it to describe how I felt when I touched that wall and saw my time."
Competing in the pool in which she qualified for her first Olympics as a teenager in 1984, two years after her first national championship, the 40-year-old Torres came in at 24.53 seconds, a personal best that beat her American record of 24.63 set in the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
TRL
wow. i didnt know about Dara's comeback. i knew her back in the 80's when i was a competitive swimmer. after a meet in LA, she invited some of us over to her house for a pool party. we were mostly middle class kids from local swim clubs. i was so enamored of her charmed life, growing up in a mansion in beverly hills, she was incredibly talented and charismatic. it doesn't surprise me she is back in the pool, and winning. she is an ideal physical speciman for swimming, esp in the sprint events. go dara. beijing 2008.
I just saw this for the first time: Monica Seles on CBS morning news commenting on Fed and Nadal at the US Open. It's on the right side of the page under videos:
http://www6.comcast.net/sports/tennis/
http://www6.comcast.net/sports/tennis/
As one of the faithful, I so enjoyed reading this in today's LA Times:
"I certainly would not ever be able to do a full schedule again, because of the foot," she said, "but I'm thinking about the Slams and about some of the better tournaments that lead into them.
"I won't decide for sure until the beginning of the year, and the Australian is certainly not possible. But Miami. Maybe."
Keeping my fingers crossed for her.
"I certainly would not ever be able to do a full schedule again, because of the foot," she said, "but I'm thinking about the Slams and about some of the better tournaments that lead into them.
"I won't decide for sure until the beginning of the year, and the Australian is certainly not possible. But Miami. Maybe."
Keeping my fingers crossed for her.
Wouldn't this be something. Even if it was a "farewell tour", I can think of no one in tennis, and I'm hard pressed to think of anyone in another sport, who deserves this more than Monica Seles.
Come back, stay a week, stay a year, do it on your terms, when you want, how you want. The rest of us should just accept whatever time we get, should she come back.
Come back, stay a week, stay a year, do it on your terms, when you want, how you want. The rest of us should just accept whatever time we get, should she come back.
I wondered how LD's comeback influenced her latest feelings on the subject. It sounds to me like Monica is going to make 2008 the final hurrah one way or another. I imagine she'll play hard court tournaments and perhaps indoor carpet but what about clay? Easier on the body and foot? Obviously not grass, her least favorite surface. I would have thought that a comeback would have included Australian since it was her most successful arena..hmmm..
http://www.latimes.com/sports/tennis/la-sp...1&cset=true
I didn't realize those details about the 2003 Australian Open, specifically how it hurt her back. Interesting. Well, she's certainly in shape, she's been building to this from all reports and no doubt she'll play it as low key as possible considering who she is. Since the foot will never be 100%, somehow I'm sure 2008 is the farewell tour for our Monica BUT I'll take it...
http://www.latimes.com/sports/tennis/la-sp...1&cset=true
I didn't realize those details about the 2003 Australian Open, specifically how it hurt her back. Interesting. Well, she's certainly in shape, she's been building to this from all reports and no doubt she'll play it as low key as possible considering who she is. Since the foot will never be 100%, somehow I'm sure 2008 is the farewell tour for our Monica BUT I'll take it...
I would so love to see Monica compete again at any level. She really still seems to love the game and deserves to go out however she wants. I'd just be thrilled if she somehow ended up on the San Diego expansion team for the WTT.
She's on the Koz guy's show on the Tennis Channel - I'm not sure if it's running again or what...this one's hard to find. Did anyone happen to catch it or tape it?
Seles Graf 93 Aussie Final runs again on the TC this Thursday, tomorrow, at 9 pm for anyone who missed this great match...
Seles Graf 93 Aussie Final runs again on the TC this Thursday, tomorrow, at 9 pm for anyone who missed this great match...
QUOTE(Bryan @ Dec 19 2007, 01:15 PM)
She's on the Koz guy's show on the Tennis Channel - I'm not sure if it's running again or what...this one's hard to find. Did anyone happen to catch it or tape it?
Seles Graf 93 Aussie Final runs again on the TC this Thursday, tomorrow, at 9 pm for anyone who missed this great match...
Here's the schedule for his upcoming shows. I just emailed him to see if he's repeating the same interview on 12/21 & 12/24.
Here's what Koz said about her on his website. Very nice short article.
Thanks SCT! I'll record his friday morning show in hopes of his repeating the Monica show...I can't imagine him just airing it once?
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