Monica was born on 2nd December 1973, so happy birthday to her, and
merry Selesmas to one and all!

Recent news about Monica isn't terribly exciting, I'm afraid. She
hasn't made any announcements about coming back or retiring since the
latest "I'm going to decide one way or the other in the next few
weeks" back in August.

In December 2005, she said, "After 2006 then it'll be pretty sure and
you have to move on," which obviously doesn't fill us with optimism.
But I don't see any reason to rush into announcing one's retirement
when one is sidelined with a long-term injury.

Monica still meets /my/ definition of an 'active' player, and as the
#1 member of my Eternal Fanship, I would prefer her to stay 'active'
indefinitely!


============== {week of 2nd October 2006}
AIG JAPAN OPEN (Tokyo, Japan; outdoor hard; WTA Tier III)
============== http://www.jta-tennis.or.jp/aigopen/2006/e/

Monica was sighted at this tournament running a tennis-clinic for
children, and playing doubles-exhibitions with Maria Kirilenko.
For more information and photos, see:
http://www.wtaworld.com/showthread.php?t=266090

Roger Federer also mentions meeting Monica at Tokyo, where they were
photographed together:
http://www.atptennis.com/en/blog/federer.asp


============================
Laureus World Sports Academy
============================

Monica and Martina Navrátilová were among thirteen sporting legends
who visited Alexandra, South Africa on 7th November 2006 to meet
children from the Laureus Sport for Good Projects. Apparently this
included an egg-and-spoon race! For more information, see:
http://www.tennisrulz.com/articles/200611/17.htm

-------------
Monica quotes
-------------

"If kids have a dream, it is very important to have a role model and
guidance - be it teachers, parents - and work hard; then I think a
lot of things will come, and hopefully all the stars they see here
will inspire them.

"I think hopefully we give kids an inspiration; they get to see the
best of the best in all the different sports from around the world,
and a lot of us started out from a very humble begining. If you have
a dream, you work hard, a lot of things can happen."

[Re. Martina Navrátilová's retirement]
"Martina is truly a legend. She redefined the sport, and made fitness
such a big part of the game. She will be missed by so many people."

--
Dr. Andrew Broad
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/
http://geocities.com/andrewbroad/tennis/seles/

http://groups.yahoo.com/group/selesians/