Former WTA World No.1 Monica Seles was present at the semi-finals of the Hungarian Ladies Open, watching on as Hungarian No.1 Timea Babos defeated Julia Goerges in straight sets. Seles will also present the trophy to the winner on Sunday, with home favourite Babos scheduled to take on Lucie Safarova.
Seles, despite representing Yugoslavia, and later the United States during her career, Seles has Hungarian heritage, and received citizenship in 2007.
Speaking at the tournament Seles said “It’s been fantastic to be invited by the Hungarian Tennis Federation to be a part of the WTA tournament here in Budapest, and also to participate in the Hungarian Day of Tennis kid’s clinic. I hope we can spread the love of tennis and inspire a lot of young kids to pick up a racquet, and hopefully one day see them on center court.”
Speaking about Babos after her win over Goerges, Seles said “I think ‘Timi’ has got a bright future ahead of her, she played very well under very tough conditions today, there’s so much pressure on her and so many expectations.”
Babos was effusive in her gratitude for Seles’ presence at the match: “It’s amazing, you know we don’t have very many huge Hungarian tennis players, and Monica has a Hungarian background – for her to be here today, on the Hungarian National Day of Tennis, watching us, it was really great.”
Babos is the only Hungarian women currently inside the WTA Top 100. Marton Fucsovics in Hungary’s top ranked male player, with a ATP ranking of No. 145.
