One more Grand Slam title still within reach, says Seles
Nine-time Grand Slam champion Monica Seles says she will 'probably' play for another two or three years before hanging up her racquet. One of the greatest-ever women players admitted her career was coming to an end, although she said she was still too in love with the game to think about retirement just yet.
Speaking after her first workout session at Victoria Park in preparation for the Hong Kong Ladies Challenge starting tomorrow, recently turned 29-year-old Seles said: 'It's so hard to put a certain day on it [when she will retire]. I know that will be a very harsh thing to do. I know I am at the end of the stage of my career and I will probably play to when I am max 31.'
The American, who is ranked seventh in the world, added: 'As long as I am enjoying it and playing at a high level and having shots at the players and my body is letting me play, I will continue to play.
'That's what drives me . . . to go higher,' she added in response to a question whether she was searching for her 10th Grand Slam title. 'I'd love to win another one. As long as I can stay injury free that will be my goal for 2003. If I can do that and play at a high level, I'll be happy at the end of the year.'
Seles, who has won every Grand Slam title but Wimbledon, said she would prefer winning another Slam rather than regain the world number-one ranking she held in 1992.
Seles hopes of a 10th Grand Slam title are not unrealistic. According to the statistics, Seles had her most productive year in 2002 since 1996 in terms of winning Grand Slam matches.
She won 17 Grand Slam matches, while reaching the quarter-finals of the last three Slams this year - the French Open, Wimbledon and US Open.
Her last Grand Slam title triumph was at the Australian Open in 1996. It was her fourth Australian Open title after victories in 1991, '92 and '93.
Seles, who dominated women's tennis during the early '90s with her brand of power tennis, suggested she would still be involved in tennis when she does retire from competition - and she said she would probably be involved with children.
'I'd like to stay retired only for a few months. Ever since I was, like, six I had schedules and I won't have to worry about having schedules any more [if she retires]. Every year after September, you know exactly where you are going to be. I'd like to stay involved with kids. That is what my passion is. Hopefully it will involve children.'
Asked how she would like to be remembered once she retires, Seles said: 'That's simple. Somebody who enjoys the game of tennis. I started when I was little and I'd never imagined all the stuff that would come with it through good times of my career and the hard times. The love of the game will never change.'
Seles said her immediate goal was to 'stay healthy', hoping to stay away from a series of injuries that had beset her during the past few years. 'I've been struggling with injuries on and off for the past couple of years of my career. Right now, I really want to do well at the Australian Open. I've reached a couple of semi-finals there [since 1996] and I want to go further,' said the Yugoslav-born American.
The left-handed Seles paid tribute to world number one Serena Williams' remarkable season in 2002, which saw the American win the last three Grand Slam titles. Williams' heroics had earned her the right to be mentioned in the same breath as women's legends of the past decade, she said.
'The season Serena had was really amazing. The other players who had this kind of a season on the tour during the last 10 years were [Martina] Navratilova, [Steffi] Graf and myself . . . we were just dominating it then, which Serena did this year. Serena just raised the level of the game and it will be really interesting to see what happens next year.'
Seles, who defeated Williams in an exhibition match played at Victoria Park in 2000, was pleased to return to the SAR. 'I always enjoy coming here. It's a fantastic city and I play well at this site and I am very happy now. I've already practised a few hours and I am looking forward to a great week.'
'It's great [the Hong Kong tournament]. You have so many great players who will probably be future world number ones. You got Maria [Sharapova], Peng Shuai and Alexandra [Stevenson]. It's just a tremendous field. They're the future of the game and it's a fantastic showcase for them to come out and play here.'
Seles will take on Peng in her first-round match tomorrow and the American great is looking forward to the match. 'I've practised with her in Shanghai and I think she's a fantastic junior player and I am looking forward to that match,' said Seles.
