Monica Seles has been shopping for just the right dress to wear and looking for
the perfect accessories for the occasion. After all, a date with the Hall of
Fame requires planning.

"I am excited for the weekend," Seles said, her familiar giggle finishing her
sentence. "As a little girl, you could never imagine all this could have
happened."

The weekend is finally here for one of the best players to ever pick up a tennis
racket.

Today, the Sarasota resident who ran her way to the top of the women's tennis
world will be inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame at Newport,
R.I, as its newest member.

The skinny little girl who looked all arms and legs when she arrived at the Nick
Bollettieri Tennis Academy as a 13-year-old prodigy is now 35 years old and is
being honored for what she accomplished in a career that included nine Grand
Slam singles titles.

Bursting onto the professional tennis scene at the age of 14, Seles won her
first tournament a year later by beating legendary Chris Evert. She won her
first French Open at 16.

Seles finished her career by earning nearly $15 million and capturing the hearts
of tennis fans around the world.

Along the way she revolutionized the women's game with her two-handed forehands
from both sides that created penetrating shots and sharp angles.

Seles is known throughout the world, not only for what she accomplished on the
tennis court but for being the victim of a stabbing in 1993 that shook the
tennis community and interrupted her career at its zenith.

She is also known as one of the most gracious champions to play the game, an
athlete who inspired legions of players to take up the game of tennis.

Today, she receives the ultimate reward in her profession.