Monica Seles is a former world No. 1 professional tennis player who represented Yugoslavia and the United States. She won 9 Grand Slam singles titles, 8 of them as a teenager while representing Yugoslavia, and the final one while representing the United States.
You can follow Monica Seles’s biography, personal details, career overview, husband, net worth, prize money, career earnings, endorsements, stats, achievements, and more here.
Monica Seles’s Biography
| Detail | Information |
| Full Name | Monica Seles |
| Birth Date | December 2, 1973 |
| Height | 5’10 1/2″ (1.79 m) |
| Birthplace | Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia) |
| Nationality | American (formerly Yugoslav) |
| Turned Professional | February 13, 1989 |
| Current Net Worth | $50 million |
| Relationship Status | Married |
| Husband | Tom Golisano |
| Instagram Profile | @monicaseles10s |
Monica Seles was born on December 2, 1973, in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia). She was born into an ethnic Hungarian family, with her parents being Ester and Karolj (Eszter and Károly in Hungarian).
Seles has an older brother named Zoltan (Zoltán in Hungarian). Seles began playing tennis at the age of 5, coached by her father, who was a professional cartoonist.
Early Career
In 1985, at just 11 years old, Monica Seles won the Junior Orange Bowl tournament in Miami, Florida, catching the attention of tennis coach Nick Bollettieri.
In 1986, at just 12 years old, Seles and her brother Zoltan moved to the United States to train at Bollettieri’s Tennis Academy in Florida.
Monica Seles played her first professional tournament as an amateur in 1988 at age 14.
Professional Career
Monica Seles turned professional on February 13, 1989, at the age of 15. She won her first career title in Houston in May 1989, defeating Chris Evert in the final. In 1990, at the age of 16 years, Seles became the youngest-ever French Open champion.
From 1991 to 1993, Seles dominated the sport, winning 22 titles and reaching 33 finals out of the 34 tournaments she played. During this period, she won 3 Australian Open titles, 2 US Open titles, and 2 French Open titles.
She won 8 Grand Slam singles titles before turning 20 and was the year-end world No. 1 in 1991 and 1992. Her record in Grand Slam tournaments was an astounding 55-1, with her only defeat coming in the 1992 Wimbledon final against Steffi Graf.
However, her career was tragically interrupted on April 30, 1993, when she was stabbed during a match in Hamburg, Germany. After a two-year hiatus, Seles returned to tennis in 1995, winning her 9th Grand Slam title at the 1996 Australian Open.
Throughout her career, Seles won a total of 53 singles titles, including 9 Grand Slam championships. She was ranked World No. 1 for 178 weeks and finished her career with an impressive win-loss record of 595-122 in singles matches.
She played her last professional match at the 2003 French Open but didn’t officially retire until February 2008.
Husband
Monica Seles is the wife of Tom Golisano, an American businessman and philanthropist. The couple tied the knot in 2014.
Golisano is well-known for his role in developing Paychex, a payroll and human resources company.
Monica Seles’s Net Worth Details
Monica Seles’s net worth is estimated to be $50 million as of 2025. This wealth comes from her successful tennis career, prize money, endorsements, and post-retirement ventures.
Prize Money
| Year | Earnings ($) |
| 1990 | 1,637,222 |
| 1991 | 2,422,206 |
| 1992 | 2,622,352 |
| 1993 | 437,588 |
| 1994 | 0 |
| 1995 | 397,010 |
| 1996 | 1,154,499 |
| 1997 | 914,020 |
| 1998 | 1,021,672 |
| 1999 | 744,741 |
| 2000 | 1,140,850 |
| 2001 | 627,211 |
| 2002 | 1,096,630 |
| 2003 | 276,213 |
Career Earnings
Monica Seles earned approximately $14.9 million in prize money during her playing career.
Endorsements
Monica Seles has been associated with several major brands throughout her career and after retirement. Her endorsements include:
- Nike
- Wilson
- Fila
- Prince
- Health and wellness brands
- Shire Pharmaceuticals
Career Stats
| Statistic | Value |
| Singles Titles | 53 |
| Doubles Titles | 6 |
| Grand Slam Singles Titles | 9 |
| Weeks at World No. 1 | 178 |
| Career Win-Loss Record (Singles) | 595-122 |
| Career Win-Loss Record (Doubles) | 89-45 |
Achievements
- Youngest-ever French Open champion (1990, age 16)
- 9 Grand Slam singles titles
- 53 career singles titles
- 178 weeks as World No. 1
- Bronze Medal at the 2000 Sydney Olympics
- Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009
FAQs
1. What is Monica Seles’s nationality and when did she turn professional?
Seles is a Yugoslav-born American tennis legend who turned professional at age 15, representing both Yugoslavia and later the United States at the height of her career.
2. How many Grand Slam singles titles did Seles win?
She claimed nine Grand Slam singles titles, including four Australian Opens, three French Opens, and two US Opens, dominating women’s tennis at a young age.
3. What made Seles’s playing style unique and difficult to counter?
Her game featured relentless two-handed strokes on both forehand and backhand sides, aggressive baseline play, early ball striking, and the ability to hit powerful angled winners under pressure.
4. What critical event interrupted Seles’s career at the peak of her dominance?
Seles’s career was tragically interrupted in 1993 when she was stabbed by a spectator during a match in Hamburg, sidelining her for over two years during her prime competitive years.
5. How did Seles perform upon her return to tennis after her hiatus?
After returning in 1995, Seles won the Australian Open in 1996 and remained competitive at the Grand Slam level, though she never fully regained her pre-incident dominance.
6. Did Seles represent countries other than Yugoslavia throughout her career?
Yes, after seeking refuge in the United States following her attack, Seles became a U.S. citizen and represented the USA in major events, including winning an Olympic bronze medal.
7. What off-court qualities and characteristics is Seles known for?
Seles is admired for resilience, sportsmanship, and her positive spirit in overcoming adversity, inspiring many both inside and outside the tennis community.
8. Has Seles received special recognitions or honors post-retirement?
She was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009 and frequently appears in discussions about the greatest female tennis champions of all time.
9. How is Seles remembered by peers and tennis analysts?
Analysts cite her as one of the fiercest competitors and most dominant teenagers in tennis history, while peers respect her humility and keen support for up-and-coming players.
10. What are Seles’s contributions to tennis and public life after retiring?
Seles is active as a motivational speaker, author, and advocate for mental health awareness, continually using her platform to support well-being and empower others.
