Monica Seles--Now or Never?

[kpatterman]

I realize this has been discussed a lot over the last few years, but I think it's worth mentioning again as 2007 comes to a close.

Does anyone think Monica will return for one last kick at the can in 2008?

Granted, she's in her mid-thirties, she's slimmer than ever. I'm not convinced, though, that just because she's slimmer she'll automatically be faster.

If she wants to make one final run, I think now's the time. The Austrailian Hardcourt swing will kick off 2008--a comfortable setting for Monica--and the competition is probably at its weakest now with several top players either injured or being accused of doing crack.

She is still listed as an "active" player, but hasn't played on the Tour in years. At the very least, will she retire with the dignity she deserves, or will she suddenly disappear altogether, like on that tragic day in Germany?

 

[Fedexeon]

How bout Capriati? She has not officially retired yet too.

 

[justineheninhoogenbandfan]

The correct answer is never.

 

[OnceWas]

probably never. would like to see Seles and Capriati give it one more try, tho.

 

[FedForGOAT]

she can try, but she won't make it.

 

[rommil]

She should do it, she probably will not do well since she hasn't played a pro match in a long time, but get it done and over with.

 

[FedForGOAT]

To answer the title: Never.

 

[Wuornos]

To borrow a phrase from this site,

"Monica is done"

In my humble opinion.

Tim

 

[kpatterman]

I agree it appears to be too late for Monica to make a comeback, even though she's probably one of my favourite players of all time.

You should consider, though, that Marion Bartoli--a Monica impersonator--is currently ranked 10th in the world.

Monica hits the ball harder than Marion, moves better than Marion, has a better serve than Marion, and is mentally superior.

Improbable return to the Tour? Yes. Impossible? No.

 

[MEAC_ALLAMERICAN]

I am a fan of Seles, but I don't see her making a successful comeback.

 

[GS]

At an exhibition in nearby Berkeley last month, she wasn't doing her usual grunting, so that's a bad sign. The crowd tried to get her to "get vocal", which was pretty funny.

 

[bluetrain4]

If Monica were to play again, I'm guessing it would be simply to say goodbye because she loves the sport. Also, I'm sure there would be some element of "closure" to her career.

Granted, I think she could win matches in early rounds against the right opponents, but I believe that Monica is a smart woman and is under no impression that she's going to go out and be a top 10 player.

 

[justineheninhoogenbandfan]

Monica hits the ball harder than Marion, moves better than Marion, has a better serve than Marion, and is mentally superior.

You mean she did 5 years ago. Now, probably no, no, no, and no. Also Marion will be out of the top 20 once her fluke Wimbledon final points are dropped.

 

[kpatterman]

You mean she did 5 years ago. Now, probably no, no, no, and no. Also Marion will be out of the top 20 once her fluke Wimbledon final points are dropped.

You know, I thought about that when I wrote it (the fact that she probably doesn't hit it as hard, etc etc). But then I saw some of her recent match-up with Navratilova and I still think she has what it takes to be a top-20 player.

I realize she wasn't hitting it too hard, but she was playing no-pace Martina so she had to generate everything herself.

It's probably all wishful thinking on my part.

 

[superman1]

Davenport is staging a nice comeback, so I don't see why it's impossible. Let's not kid ourselves - this is not the men's field. You can be old and out of match play, but if you can hit the ball harder than the girl across the net, you've got a shot.

 

[Shosho]

I'm thinking Monica already knows not to try and make a comeback. She has another job now and has moved on- sorta.

But if she ever did make such a comeback, the crowds would be colossal.

 

[rommil]

I'm thinking Monica already knows not to try and make a comeback. She has another job now and has moved on- sorta.

But if she ever did make such a comeback, the crowds would be colossal.

You bet it will be electric. Monica knows what it takes so if she gives it another go it is not to make a "comeback" to the rankings but maybe just to bid farewell to the tour.

 

[Nuke]

Could you imagine if Monica played Sharapova? Bring earplugs.

 

[marc]

word on the street is that she is still hitting the ball damn well...and supposedly took a current top ten player to the woodshed on a practice court recently.... but i have to think with her injuries, playing day in, day out, week in, week out is too much

 

[tennis_hand]

why don't you guys ask Magaret Court to come back to play as well?

:roll:

 

[kpatterman]

word on the street is that she is still hitting the ball damn well...and supposedly took a current top ten player to the woodshed on a practice court recently.... but i have to think with her injuries, playing day in, day out, week in, week out is too much

I hear this all the time, but there's never any proof to back it up.

And Tennis Hand, I actually e-mailed a special request to Billie Jean King to play doubles with Mary Carillo in Austrailia

It's really too bad that the depth in women's tennis has faded recently. If Kim Clijsters kept playing she'd be number 2 in the world right now. Steffi Graf could probably be number 3...joking...kind of.

 

[Harry_Wild]

why don't you guys ask Magaret Court to come back to play as well?

:roll:

Her opponent could be Martina Navatinva!; her arch enemy!

 

[ninman]

Remember when Navratilova tried playing singles Wimbledon at 48, surprisingly she actually won a match.

 

[christos_liaskos]

word on the street is that she is still hitting the ball damn well...and supposedly took a current top ten player to the woodshed on a practice court recently.... but i have to think with her injuries, playing day in, day out, week in, week out is too much

Whats the word on the street exactly? I see comments like this on here so often but I dont have a clue where you guys seem to be getting your info from. Is there a gossip magazine for tennis that I have yet to come across or something?

 

[bluetrain4]

I'm sure she hits the ball just great, as she is a former No. 1, 9 time Slam champ, and only 35.

But, that doesn't mean she could win consistently.

 

[Bones08]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_jSGUz2lLI

Click on this 2 see her most recent match last month against Navratilova...striking the ball as well as ever ,acute angles like no other, and serve when on was Really Good...I think the AO is the right place to do it.

 

[tbonegas]

And how about Mary Pierce?,she hasn't officially retired either has she?

 

[Matteo_Italy]

It would be great to see Monica back againg on tennis courts, she's one of my favorites! But honestly I don't hope in it anymore.
Instead Mary Pierce, another great one player, should come back playing among pros... but I just don't know when she'll do that!

 

[J-man]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3_jSGUz2lLI

Click on this 2 see her most recent match last month against Navratilova...striking the ball as well as ever ,acute angles like no other, and serve when on was Really Good...I think the AO is the right place to do it.

She seemed to be hitting the ball cleanly. It looked pretty good from her end and Navratilova was playing well, also. But it will be a different pace on the pro tour