Stephen Dawson wrote:
Germany knife attack on Monica Seles changed the face of sport

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/t … 6632270388

As for the attack itself, Seles is the first to admit it robbed her of her self confidence.

She had finished both 1991 and 1992 as the world's top ranked female player and in 1990, aged just 16, she had become the youngest-ever French Open champion.

On April 30, 1993, the tennis world was at her feet.

Having won her eighth Grand Slam title at the Australian Open earlier that year, the Yugoslav (of Serbian origin) was still only 19 when she played her quarter-final at Hamburg's Rothenbaum in the day's last match.

Having won the first set against Bulgaria's Magdalena Maleeva, Seles was resting during a break in play when Guenter Parche, a 38-year-old unemployed tool maker, plunged a 23cm-long knife into her back.

.....

At his trial, Parche's lawyer said his client lived in a fantasy world and his interest in Graf had reached an unhealthy level, fuelling his hatred of Seles.

Experts confirmed Parche had a personality disorder and the judge ruled it was attempted assault, not murder, giving him a two-year suspended sentence.

Due to the light sentence, Seles has never set foot on German soil again.

I remember this!  Ridiculous and criminal of the that perpetrator to stab her, yet sadly he met his objective of changing the Monica's ability to perform at top level in her career in a matter of seconds.  I was mad that he got off with such a light sentence ... and that this incident along with other such stupidities have caused people to change the way they think regarding their own safety. 

As tragic as this was for Monica Seles, the odds of something like this happening are so small!  I see how it relates to the modeling World in that many of these models that request an escort have been influenced from such incidents happening as alleged attacks by photographers on models either verbal or physical.  The thing is that these incidents such as what happened to Monica Seles or by others are far a few.  Yet, we must be aware that it can happen and take proper measures for our own security.

@ Stephen Dawson, thanks for reminding me ... the World has changed alot since I was a kid.  Sometimes I think ... not for the better?

Stephen Dawson wrote:
Due to the light sentence, Seles has never set foot on German soil again.

That is a bullshit sentence.

Mark Leighton wrote:
It was tragic for Monica and also for Women's tennis in my view. It was the mental scars that took so long to heal for her, rather than the physical, otherwise she could have returned to tennis much earlier and her legacy would have been much greater.

I think the most unjust aspect of the whole event is that the attacker achieved his aim - Steffi Graf back to the dominance of the game she enjoyed before Monica overtook her.  The level of top flight women's tennis dropped for a few years as a result.

Yes, it sure did somewhat change the women's tennis scene.  I was playing tennis years ago, and paid attention to the tournaments.  This incident was just one in a few that changed the course of the way security is now handled for sports events.  I felt really bad for her!

Christopher Hartman wrote:
That is a bullshit sentence.

That's a direct quote from the article!  What is "bullshit" about it?
I can't blame her if it's true.

Will Snizek wrote:
That definitely makes me feel too old.

Hey Will!  How about a game of tennis or racquetball?   I bet that I might be able to beat you, but we'll both be feeling "old" afterwards!   

My past injuries seem to like reminding me when I wake up in the morning that I'm not as young and athletic as I used to be.  Ugh! 

Stephen Dawson wrote:
Due to the light sentence, Seles has never set foot on German soil again.

Christopher Hartman wrote:
That is a bullshit sentence.

Patrick Walberg wrote:
That's a direct quote from the article!  What is "bullshit" about it?
I can't blame her if it's true.

Patrick Walberg wrote:

That's a direct quote from the article!  What is "bullshit" about it?
I can't blame her if it's true.

I think anyone trying to stab someone, whether they intended to or not, should be charged with attempted murder.  And honestly, in my opinion as well, should carry the same penalty as a successful murder.

They should not be rewarded for their failure.

Christopher Hartman wrote:

I think anyone trying to stab someone, whether they intended to or not, should be charged with attempted murder.  And honestly, in my opinion as well, should carry the same penalty as a successful murder.

They should not be rewarded for their failure.

Aww ... now I understand what you meant and I agree!