Roger Federer's French Open victory was the big news in the tennis world this
weekend, but local fans who couldn't be at Roland Garros got their own brush
with tennis greatness Saturday when Monica Seles made an appearance at Five
Seasons Sports Club in Northbrook. Seles made a promotional appearance for the
Handzel Open, an amateur tournament with a $1,200 top prize.

She wowed fans by hitting with some of the area's top junior players, but most
people missed the real highlight: Monica Seles blowing raspberries at a sobbing
toddler during an awkward photo shoot. Shortly after her on-court demonstration,
Seles was ushered off for a Gift From the Heart Foundation publicity photo with
a severely disabled boy. The foundation, which provides medical treatment for
seriously ill and disabled children from Poland and Eastern Europe, is the
beneficiary of this year's Handzel Open. Surrounded by an entourage and covered
in charity paraphernalia, the boy opened his mouth, scrunched up his eyes and
let out a silent wail…followed by loud, hysterical crying. Seles was the first
to respond, saying the crowds were scaring him and that they should give him
some space. She then, adorably, scrunched down in front of him and started
making goofy raspberry noises. It was a far cry from the grunting noises she's
famous for, but the touching moment proved that even after retirement, she's
still got game.