This woman had won 8 grand slams before turning 21. Easily could have been the greatest of all time.

And the saddest thing is nothing happened to this guy who destroyed her life and he achieved what he wanted to achieve. Monica was never the same after this. It’s a real shame!!

And this exact scenario is why you will always see people who run onto the field of sporting events taken down with extreme predjudice.

She was 20 at the time.. Just a kid.. What a monster

This was a crime, not an incident, he deserved at least 15 years for what he did, in mental institution or elsewhere.

The day tennis lost her best player!! the worst day in sport history!! Thank you Monica, for everything!

WTA held a meeting in Rome with the other top 25 WTA players. The meeting was held in order to decide whether Seles’ No. 1 ranking should be frozen while she recovered from the stabbing. Aside from one player who abstained, the entire body of players collectively voted against Seles. Peter Bodo’s response says it all: “The plain fact is that Monica Seles got stabbed in the back twice: first by Parche and then by tennis.” In the wake of the most violent moment in the history of their sport, the professional tennis community responded by saying, “If Seles got stabbed, that’s her problem! Now can I have her locker at Wimbledon?” The German government decided to join the WTA and bury one more massive metaphorical knife in her back by giving Parche a two-year suspended sentence. That’s right - the man who stabbed Monica Seles didn’t spend a single day in prison.

I was very young in 1993, but if i remember right Seles was well on her way to becoming one of the best of all time in the Women's game. She was starting to beat Graf on a regular basis.

Ruined potentially the greatest of all time. Monika was winning Grand Slams in her teens... So ridiculously sad.

Won 8 slams by age 20! Would have won the most slams and strong case for greatest ever with serena!!

From January 1991 until February 1993, Seles won 22 titles and reached 33 finals out of the 34 tournaments she played. She compiled a 159-12 win-loss record (92.9% winning percentage), including a 55-1 win-loss record (98%) in Grand Slam tournaments. In the broader context of her first four years on the circuit (1989-1992), Seles had a win-loss record of 231-25 (90.2%) and collected 30 titles.

It’s terrifying how quickly things can turn from celebratory to tragic. This was utterly shocking, made me freeze with shock watching it.

2:45 The moment she starts crying is when it really hits me. She seems so confused and scared.

Seles won 7 grand slams in her short career. Great fighter 👌✌✌✌👏👏

Not-so-fun fact, during her time of recovery, Monica developed binge eating disorder, which really put a toll on her physical and mental health, and suffered with it for nearly a decade

This incident changed tennis forever at the changeovers , there's always security behind the players and the ballstaff watching the crowds.

She was too brave for her age.She was never the same but kept going.Its equal to 100 grand slams.

That was a very sad day to the history of tennis... for me, she is the GOAT.

I am from india and after this incident my father started crying and said " This is just so unfair to monica ". i was 5 years old , i don't remember it but my mother told me this when i was in my early teens....we all loved monica ....we still do

This always makes me cry... Even it had been 27 years ago 😢

Such a tragedy for Monica...clearly the best tennis player of her time. I’m sad to think what could have been.

Who knows how many more Slams Monica could have won? She's clearly the most dominant player then and for me, she's incomparably the best. That lunatic fan ruined her career.

That happened exactly 30 years ago (30. April 2023). I was there in the audience. The guy got 2 years on probation. That's all. He died a year ago in a mental hospital. The day after the attack Steffi Graf visited Monica Selec in the hospital and they cried together. The guy did it because he wanted Steffi to get back at No1 on the world ranking. He succeeded. The tournament wasn't stopped and Steffi Graf lost the final. Horrible story. We talked about nothing else for weeks. We all feel sorry for not providing any security.

I remember this. Seles was never, ever the same after this attack. She apparently never felt at home at the tennis court ever again.

one of the greatest tragedies in the history of sports,what a way to extinguish the brilliant career

Always makes me sad watching this. Poor Monica 🙁

I loved Seles as a small girl. And precisely this incident can never make me appreciate Steffi Graf, no matter how legendary she is!

The shittest day in tennis. Hope you’re doing well Monica. Regardless of any deliberation on what may have been you always will be the most unique and exciting tennis player to watch x

Even though the wound was superficial, the psychological damage was oversize and ruined everything for her.

How easy to destroy somebody's dream and ruin her life, she did come back in another way, but she would be a great sportiest. But sadly that is life. I certainly wish her the best, even todey and forever. Isten aldja, es ovja orokke

It never ceases to baffle and sadden me that people commit horrible acts of violence like this totally unprovoked. The only thing Monica Seles ever did was play tennis, and for that, she got a knife in her back. Moments like these really make the world feel horrible and nonsensical.

This attack is the reason why Steffi Graf is generally considered the greatest female player of all time. At the time of the stabbing Seles just recently turned 19 and already won 8 GS. Her GS finals record was incredibile 8:1 (3:1 vs Graf).

Uvek zaplacem kad ovo gledam . Monika Seles je bila nas Novak ⭐😥

I remember this like yesterday. Psycho fan stabbed her and ended up with a slap on the wrist. Everybody was like "gee, that's a shame about Monica" and quickly forgot about it. The whole thing was bizarre, surreal, and a very unfair outcome for her. It's still weird to think about the odd reaction to this day.

Günter Parche achieved what he wanted and bascially walked free after this incident. It feels like an encouragement to the public to do similar things.

Still I remember this match. I was 12 years old, I am a die hard fan to Monica selas. Black to tennis history.

May have come close to winning 30 Grand Slams. She was never the same after this. I enjoyed watching her so much!

she was an incredible player. what happened is so tragic

A real Warrior.Really,Beautiful Woman..Thanks Monica,for all👏👏

The tragedy is that the attacker in some way got what he wanted: The wounds on Monica´s body healed relatively quickly, but the wounds on her soul didn´t. She never was the same again. And I think it was in the same year when that homicidal maniac made an attempt on her life that her beloved dad passed away; the second fatal blow on her psyche.

Monica Seles would have been the greatest, most successful tennis player of all times, with the rate she was going. She won 8 grand slams before she turned 20. An absolute tragedy to happen to an athlete of her caliber. But glad she survived. And managed to win one more slam after this atrocity. A truly great champion !!

It is impossible to describe how evil this was. Leaves a person speechless.

What a horrifying experience for Monica Seles. I think she never really recovered from this trauma. Poor girl.

Strange. I'm currently watching on BBC2 a Wimbledon womens' final from 1993 between Steffi Graf and Jana Novotna *(RIP)* and this crime came to mind as it was in the same year. Monica could've and should've won more titles if not for this. She was No1 in the world before this happened and that monster did it because his favourite Steffi was No2 and didn't like it. So he remedied that......and it worked. Monica could've been the greatest female player of all time. Alright, the Williams sisters were up and coming but I believe she probably could go toe to toe with both sisters. Absolute tragedy.

I am crying after 26 years of this incident ......Seen the video first time

Incredible how long it took until ambulance came

And thats how Graf becomes GOAT. Media doesn't like to talk about this , do they? Like murder attempt on sport fields are regullar thing?

I was afraid some "crazy Federer fan" might do this to Novak Djokovic. Fortunately in his case the mission "prevent a player from Serbia from becoming the GOAT" only involved deportation.

Dear Monica. I`m a 51 years old man from Denmark in Jutland. When I was a teenager I did not have any Idol. But in the late eighties me and my friend start seeing tennis. He was a fan of Steffi Graf but, when we saw you and Steffi one day, I was so sure. This player was my big idol from now on. Your special look. The way you hit the ball. And later your scream when you hit the ball. That day you become my BIG IDOL. In a way I maybe already knew, that I was gay. So it was not because I saw you in that way, as many people do, if they have a fan. It is because they think they look very good. But you was so special. But then came the day, when I hear in the radio, that you was attacked in Hamburg. Believe me, I was nearly crying, and I was waiting for you to come back in two years. And when I heard that you would return to the tennis court, I was so happy. Unfortunately you were never the same again on the court, and you could have bin the best player ever. Even bigger than Serena, because you had 6 years more to take some Grand Slam titles before the Williams came to the court. You was and still are my biggest IDOL and the only IDOL ever. I remember that I wish I would see you on the court live someday, but unfortunately it never happened. You was my star, my IDOL, and big Hero. Dear Monica, I wish you all the best in the future, and hope you are happy deep inside your heart, because you deserve this from here and to the moon and back again. Take care my dear Monica, maybe I will see you someday, out in the real world. But my back is not well. I can not sit in a chair, so I can not take a trip. Only walk, but walk 8000 kilometers to see you for real, is probably too big a challenge. But give me 2 years to walk, and we can meet halfway? I would love to hug you. The player who became my big idol. Hope to see you for real someday. Take care. I'm sending lots of love your way. Warmest greetings from Johnny from Denmark.

monika seleš and novak đoković greatest Tennis Player of All time

after so many Years this is also today a Shock😱

Definitely one of the saddest days if not THE saddest day in tennis!!! What Seles could have done in tennis and just as a person for someone to just came in a village you is crazy! Never heard much from Steffi on this incident would have liked to hear her perspective! I would be lying if I said I didn’t think about this being similar to the Nancy Kerrigan/Tonya Harding assault; the case of trying to take out the competition! I’m ju happy Monica was able to comeback and win another slam and show how much of a fighter she is, just wish her all the best in life!!!!❤️❤️❤️❤️💯💯💯

You must never forgive the criminal. From Japan, fans.

At age 19 she already had won 8 GS, she could have won 30 GS before turning 30, tennis lost its greatest player that day. 😭😭😭

I remember this as kid...traumatic ....never forgot about this

April 29, 1993. Truly a savage event.

The Most dominant womans player of her time. The only player who had Steffi Graf's number.

Omg this brought memories... I was young and was watching with my dad. We were her fans ... on that game .

I've never hear of this and I don't know her but how awful, I cried for her as many others did. I hope she's moved past this.

can't believe this guy went out free

She was one of the most talented tennis player ever.

The german Knife-Günter wanted Steffi Graf to be the best player in the world. Sadly, that‘s exactly what he achieved. He ruined Monica‘s life career and Steffi‘s legacy as well.

This video does not show the actual incident only audio at the crucial moment.

Still feel sorry for such an amazing player .this incident did an everlasting damage to her career but she is still an inspiration for millions

Stefi Graf would not have 22 slams if Monica wouldn't have gotten stabbed by that maniac.

Just realized how old I am. I remember hearing about this when it happened and it was almost 30 years ago

stay strong Monica!You are the best ever!Amaizing talent ,family and anything Got gave her!

You will remain forever unforgettable Seles-Tennis lost the best female player of history.But Seles will continue to remain in hearts.

Something took away from Seles that day, her future never be the same. the most unbelievable and unjust, ridiculous thing was the criminal was never truly charged for what he had done, Seles's tennis career and live was rubbed, and the person benefit from this go on to become the greatest... People, if you were Seles, this happens to you, how would you feel?!!

What amazes me is the lack of professionalism here. No security nor medical staff. Just regular folk attending her and dealing with the attacker.

For us Monika won all the cups ! We don't see any other champion like her

It's so unbelievably sad what Mrs. Seles had to face! I'm happy that she survived and I hope there are no mire flashbacks. This should never ever happen again- it's only tennis!

That Fu**er couldn't take it that his precious Steffi wasn't number 1 anymore. I love Steffi but let's be honest. After Monica was traumatized after this incident, Steffi had no completion. Several of Steffi's Grand Slam titles would have most definitely gone to Seles.

My sister was a real fan of Monica Seles. She was 11. She cried. We read the stabbing from newspaper. We lived in Indonesia...

I am german and remember it. As tennis fan I saw Seles as one of the best women tennis player I ever saw. Perhaps the best. In the last years she was even better then Graf, imo. Still can't believe what happened in the head of that ill man. A shame for all german people. Made and makes me very sad for Monica Seles, to see that. But I can say you, Monica Seles, had a lot of fans in Germany, me too.

This incident was so horrific. I was a kid at that time and Monica was my all time favourite. Staffi graph was never close to her and this incident gave her advantage to become no.1 and for that I never liked her. Monica came back after injury but she was never the same in her game. What a talent she was ❤

Serbian and Hungarian queen who deserved better

You know after all these years I still find this incident so shocking and distressing. I was a huge fan of Monica and Steffi and not only was this lovely young girl brutally robbed of her tennis career, but who knows what heights she would have achieved. Monica was horribly cheated and so was tennis.

I could never understand why Steffi Graf continued with the competition after this. That horrid man achieved everything he had planned. I wish she had walked away to show her support for Seles.

Great player. My father was her fan and I was too young around 6 or 7 year old but love to see her game, special she shout while stocking. It is so painful to see. She is my heart.

I was 11 and the incident is still fresh in my memory...like it happened yesterday...

I was a 15 year old Graf fan at the time and this horrified me. Ended up following her comeback step by step. What a hero Seles was and is. And Grafs legacy was left tainted by what happened to her greatest adversary, through no fault of her own own

Our champ forever 💔🏆🇷🇸

The greatest player ever, a young girl, her magnificent career ended tragically by a guy who's intentions were to do just that ... attempted murder without a doubt! Hardly insanity. It is beyond unbelievable that the murderous fcuker did not get life imprisonment! But for the guys who grabbed him, it would have gone right through her. Steffi... and Martina Hingis too, will always wonder... what if it hadn't happened? And Venus, and Serena. You will always be the greatest Monica, always!! ❤️

The security guard was right behind her!!!!

She was just too good, the best by far. Wished so much she would come back. She, and we all got robbed.

You had one job, security!!! One freaking job!!!

Two greatest tennis players born only 100km away from each other. Djokovic (Belgrade) - Seles (Novi Sad). They also had the same coach Jeleno Genčić.

I found it really disrespectful that they carried on the tournament like nothing happened: business as usual. Tennis was boring after that Steffi had no real opponents : yeah a bit Sanchez ( who for me benefited as much as Steffi did I m not sure she would have made to number one and made so many finals) such a shame on a personal and on a sport s level we ll never know what would have happened so many great matches between Steffi and Monica like Roger and Rafa and many rivalry . Such a crazy story.

In my view Monica has proven she is the greatest of all times as before she was literally stubbed to be stopped, she was literally devastating Stefi Graph as a subcribed runner up, that took later the female GOAT position, taking over so all the wins and titles the were undoubtedly, reserved for Monica if she had not got stubbed.

I was 8 when I watched this on tv live. My sons age. Have never forgotten it.

This is why there will always be an asterisk (*) next to Steffi Graf's WTA record. With Monica Seles, her nemesis and main competitor out of the way, Graf had a clear pathway to win all the tournament titles she accumulated over the next few years. The man who stabbed Seles, Günter Parche, admitted that he stabbed Seles in order to help Steffi Graf regain the No. 1 ranking in women's tennis. Graf herself showed little remorse or empathy for Seles after the stabbing occurred. If the stabbing had been a random incident with no rhyme or reason, things would have been somewhat different. But since the clear, undeniable goal was to help Graf regain her status as the top-ranked player in women's tennis, Parche literally got what he wanted, and Graf reaped the benefits with the additional championships she won and millions of dollars she made afterward.

So much for German justice

Wow, I had completely forgotten about this incident... too sad this prevented Seles from playing in Germany ever again!

Monica, there will never be another like you. Ever ❤ thank you

MONICA IN OUR HEART YOU ARE THE GOAT !!! 💜

I remember it like it was yesterday. Worst day in the sport’s history. What a scumbag.

Da se ovo nije dogodilo Monika bi bila najbolja teniserka svih vremena

No one deserves that big ups to Monica where ever she may be 😘🌟🔥

Probably the saddest days in tennis. Monica, was never the same again.