This Happened - April 30: Thirty Years After The Stabbing Of Monica Seles
It was 30 years ago today that Monica Seles was stabbed by a deranged fan of her rival during a tennis match in Hamburg, Germany.
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Who was Monica Seles?
Monica Seles is a former professional tennis player who was ranked world No. 1 and won nine Grand Slam singles titles during her career. During a tennis match in Hamburg, Germany, Seles was stabbed in the back by a tennis fan who came down from the stands.
Why was Monica Seles stabbed?
The perpetrator was Günter Parche, a fan of Steffi Graf, one of Seles' main rivals at the time. Parche later admitted that he stabbed Seles in order to help Steffi Graf regain the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis. He was sentenced to two years' probation and psychiatric treatment.
How serious were Monica Seles' injuries?
Seles' injuries were serious and required immediate medical attention. She underwent surgery and did not play tennis for more than two years. She has spoken openly about the physical and emotional toll of the stabbing and has become an advocate for mental health awareness.
