Karolj Seles, the father and coach of women's tennis star Monica Seles, has lost his five-year battle with cancer. Seles, 64, died Thursday in Sarasota with his wife of 35 years, Ester, his son, Zoltan and Monica at his side. Seles was a popular and respected figure in the international tennis community for many years. He was known for his charisma and humor. He was Monica's father and tennis coach, but there was more to it. There was a real bond between them. He was very important to her. In January 1997, Seles began chemotherapy for leiomyosarcoma. Originally, he was diagnosed with prostate cancer in June 1993 and with gastric malignancy in December that year. Despite a condition continually weakened by the cancer and the treatments, Seles attended many of Monica's tournaments. He last saw her play in August in Atlanta.Back to the Main Page