"I was just a teen struggling with self-worth issues of how I looked" - When Monica Seles lamented struggles growing up in the public eye

Monica Seles once reflected on the challenges of achieving fame at such a young age, particularly the pressures of being constantly in the public eye. She shared a specific instance when she decided to cut her hair, and the intense reactions from others made her question her self-worth.

Seles' comments came after her induction into the Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009, where she was honored for her extraordinary career. She won 53 singles titles, including four at the Australian Open, three at the French Open, and two at the US Open.

The American gave an interview to Inside Tennis, where she was asked about a memorable incident at Roland Garros in 1989. As she walked onto the court for her match against Zina Garrison, she playfully tossed roses to the crowd and even offered one to Garrison, who backed away in disgust.

Monica Seles replied:

"I learned my lesson at an early age. I had to grow up in the public eye. The biggest deal was when I cut my hair. All of a sudden people were commenting on how I looked. There I was, just a teen struggling with my own [self-worth] issues of how I looked. I didn’t need strangers telling me about it. But that comes with the territory, whoever’s No. 1."

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A look into Monica Seles' career

Monica Seles pictured at the 1998 French Open | Image Source: Getty

Monica Seles was one of the most dominant and fearless players in tennis history, winning nine Grand Slam singles titles before her career was tragically disrupted.

Seles won her first Grand Slam at just 16 years old, defeating Steffi Graf at the 1990 French Open. Over the next two years, she became nearly unbeatable, winning eight more Majors, including four Australian Opens, three French Opens, and two US Opens. In 1991 and 1992, she finished both years as the world’s top-ranked player, outshining even Graf.

However, in 1993, her career took a heartbreaking turn when a fan of Graf stabbed her during a match in Hamburg. The attack kept her out of the sport for over two years, and while she made a comeback in 1995—winning the Australian Open in 1996—she was never quite the same player.

Despite the setback, Seles remains one of the greatest the sport has ever seen. Her impact on women’s tennis, especially her fearless aggression and mental toughness, continues to inspire players today.