Seles to Play Australian Open, Site of Last Grand Slam Title

Monica Seles pronounced herself fit and eager to return to the Australian Open, the last Grand Slam tournament she won before being stabbed in the back and knocked out of tennis for more than two years.

Speaking via conference call Tuesday from her home in Sarasota, Fla., Seles said she was excited about returning to Melbourne, where she won the title in 1993 by beating Steffi Graf in the final. Seles, co-ranked No. 1 with Graf, has never lost a match at the Australian Open.

Seles outlined an ambitious schedule for 1996. For the first time in her career, she will play in tournaments four consecutive weeks. It’s a risky schedule, considering that Seles sat out the last two tournaments of last season because of knee and ankle injuries and has recently been hospitalized because of a virus.

She said as recently as two weeks ago she wasn’t sure if she would be able to play in the Australian Open, Jan. 15-28.

Seles said she will twice play in Southern California this year: for the State Farm Evert Cup, which begins March 4 at Indian Wells, and the Acura Classic at Manhattan Beach, which begins Aug. 12.