Monica Seles Reveals How Venus and Serena Williams Have Impacted and Revolutionized the Sport of Tennis

Monica Seles was one of tennis’s brightest rising stars before her career was cut short in an unfortunate event. She has a total of 9 Grand Slam singles titles, winning eight of them as a teenager! After her retirement from professional tennis, she has been more or less absent from the sport. Recently, however, she is making more appearances. In one such appearance at the President’s Box at the Indian Wells Masters, she opened up about Venus and Serena Williams.

Seles who was initially a Yugoslavian citizen became a US Citizen midway in her career. She has been on the same team as the Williams sisters. She shared how much she respected them and how great they were, both as tennis players as well as people. The 9-time Major champion also opened up about how both Serena and Venus have had phenomenal careers. Showering high praises, Seles also credited the Williams sisters for inspiring so many youngsters to take up the sport.

Monica Seles thinks that the Williams sisters are great girls

Seles spoke about how she always felt that both the sisters, but especially Venus had a special edge, and how Venus Williams was an “amazing competition” too!

“When you played both Serena and Venus, you knew that every point was like a match point. I had to show up 110 percent. I just respected that so much,” she said.

She also expressed happiness about how the Williams sisters have managed their professional and personal life brilliantly throughout their careers. She emphasized the need to find happiness outside of tennis as well.

DIVE DEEPER: ‘I Didn’t Even Start Talking Till I Was Five’ – Venus Williams Is Mighty Impressed With Niece Olympia’s Dynamic Nature

Seles also credits the Williams sisters’ parents for their growth

Sharing her experiences of playing alongside and against Williams sisters, Seles opened up about the influential role their parents have played in shaping them up. She referred to the new biopic on their father, Richard Williams. However, what she brought up especially was how important Oracene Price also had been in inculcating in the sisters, the true meaning of fair-play.

“Mr. Williams has a movie, King Richard, as we all know, but I also think their mom, Oracene, should have a movie because she’s truly one of the most remarkable women that I’ve met. She reminded me so much of my dad. No matter who her daughters played, or who I played, my dad and herself would always be very fair, and always congratulate us,” she recalled.

Both Venus and Serena Williams have been at the pinnacle of success on the WTA tour. Serena is also the most decorated active player on the tour.

WATCH THIS STORY: Will Smith Shows How King Richard Cast Trained Like Serena and Venus Williams

While they both have been taking some time off from the circuit, and going through rehabilitation for their injuries, fans cannot wait to see them back on the court to be their powerful and dominant selves once again.