"We would go shopping, she'd tell me I should be doing more girl stuff" - When Monica Seles revealed her mother's disapproval of her tennis ambitions
Monica Seles once opened up about how her passion for tennis created strife in her family due to her parents' opposing views. Seles also disclosed that her mother Ester envisioned a different path for her and tried to push her in that direction.
Seles established herself as a tennis legend when she was just a teenager, winning eight Grand Slam titles before turning 20. She went on to win her ninth and final Major title at the 1996 Australian Open after recovering from a tragic stabbing incident by a crazed Steffi Graf fan.
The Yugoslav-born American's tennis journey began when her father Karolj, who was a professional cartoonist, began coaching her when she was five years old. Subsequently, she moved to Florida with her older brother Zoltan to train at renowned coach Nick Bollettieri's prestigious academy.
Although this approach brought Monica Seles immense professional success, it also caused "conflicts and disagreements" within her family. During a 2003 interview with Sportstar, the former World No. 1 disclosed that she followed her father and brother's lead because of her love for tennis.
"I went with my dad and Zoltan because I loved tennis. Still it was great to be with Dad because he would draw cartoon characters on the balls and put out targets to hit. He knew how to make tennis fun. But my interest in the game definitely created some conflicts and disagreements in my family," Monica Seles said.
However, Seles revealed that her mother Ester didn't believe she should become a tennis player. She would regularly take the former World No. 1 shopping and encourage her to engage in more feminine activities. In contrast, her father supported her decision to devote five hours of the day to the sport.
"My mom didn't think I should be a tennis player. We would go shopping and she would tell me that I should be doing more girl stuff, hanging out with my friends, things like that. My dad would say, "Well, if Monica wants to be there practicing for four or five hours a day, that's her choice,"" she added.
Monica Seles: "I think they're really different and I think I really lucked out with my parents"
During the aforementioned interview, Monica Seles expressed gratitude that her parents always allowed her to make her own choices despite their opposing views on how she should lead her life.
"Ultimately, my parents let me decide. In fact, I'm very thankful that they let me decide on just about everything, including hitting with two hands on both sides. I can't even remember how many people wanted my dad to change that, and at all stages in my career, too, right until I became number one. But even when I was very young, he always just said, "If Monica wants to change it, she will. It's her choice,"" Monica Seles said.
The former World No. 1 also emphasized that she "lucked out" with her parents, since they gave her the freedom to make mistakes and learn from them. Seles highlighted that this helped her avoid any family conflicts, which plagued most of her friends.
"I think they're really different and I think I really lucked out with my parents. Everyone always had individual freedom to decide. My parents always gave me information and advice, but I always decided for myself. I learned some things the hard way, but I appreciate it because I have no regrets. I never ask, "What if?" I don't have issues with my family at all, unlike a lot of my friends," she added.
Monica Seles also credited her family for their unwavering support and the way they dealt with the fame that accompanied her tennis success, admitting that "it was very scary how well her parents handled it all."