Monica Seles closed one chapter of her life when she announced her retirement from professional tennis on February 14. The nine-time Grand Slam champion will author the next chapter of her life when she puts her story into print.
The 34-year-old Seles has sold her memoir to Avery, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA). The untitled project is scheduled for publication in March 2009. The auction for world rights was conducted by Dana Beck at Bill Adler Books.
Seles will explore her remarkable journey of brilliant tennis, fame, tragedy, loss and self-discovery. After years of having every aspect of her training, diet and life dictated and scrutinized by others, Seles says she took control, deciding what she wanted from life and set out to obtain it.
"On February 14th, I officially retired from professional tennis, closing one chapter of my life," Seles said. "I'm now opening a new chapter where I hope to share how I found balance, strength and happiness in my life after a rollercoaster ride of exhilarating accomplishment and sometimes overwhelming tragedy. Avery is giving me the opportunity to put this journey in words, and I'm thrilled to be working with them."
John Steele, Senior Vice President at IMG, who represents Seles in her non-tennis activities, added, "Since Monica won the French Open at age 16, she has been living in the public spotlight but she has never really discussed the struggles that went along with all the victories. It will be both a remarkable read and a motivating story of finding health and happiness."
