Sport's Strangest Crimes

As police question the attacker, the strange motive for this appalling crime is revealed - sending another shockwave through the world of tennis and beyond.
We learn more about the man who attacked Monica Seles, and a worrying obsession comes to light - exposing the frightening reality that female players have been navigating behind the scenes. We hear about how something innocent can turn into something dangerous; how fandom can become fixation.
Time remains suspended for one of its best players, but the multi-million dollar world of women’s tennis keeps on turning. More revelations plunge Seles into further darkness - but she is a player famed for her fighting spirit. Will she be free when justice is served?
Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence.
Presented by Clare Balding
Produced by Emma Roberts
Additional reporting by Russell Fuller
Mixed by Gareth Isles
Executive Producer: Joe Haddow
Assistant Commissioner: Rob Green
Commissioning Executive: Stevie Middleton

After three years, women’s tennis had a new number one. Monica Seles was riding high on a wave of success; out of the last nine Grand Slams, she had played eight finals, and won seven of them. But from the highest of highs to the lowest of lows. We’ll hear about the moment that changed everything - for her, and for the world of women’s tennis.
Those who were there describe the shocking scenes that left them stunned, and we hear from those whose job it was to manage the aftermath of such a public act of violence.
As the news spreads, waves of shock are sent rippling out across the world, and questions abound; how badly hurt is Monica Seles? How could this happen? Who is her attacker? And why would he want to try and kill a teenage tennis player?
Theories emerge, but one person has a hunch about the possible motive; her biggest rival, Steffi Graf.
Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence.
Presented by Clare Balding
Produced by Emma Roberts
Additional reporting by Russell Fuller
Mixed by Gareth Isles
Executive Producer: Joe Haddow
Assistant Commissioner: Rob Green
Commissioning Executive: Stevie Middleton

Steffi Graf had been world number one for 3 years; it seemed like nobody could challenge her supremacy. But then along came a teenage girl from Yugoslavia, whose aggressive style - that came with grunting to match - challenged Graf’s dominance as well as the status quo.
Finally, there was a contender.
Clare Balding takes us through the most exciting moments in this emerging rivalry, as well as the darkness that swirled behind the scenes. How Seles’ record breaking was sidelined for her breaking of etiquette, and what it was like for young girls like her who found themselves in the very adult world of elite tennis in the 90s.
In the age of the indomitable Steffi Graf, what made people think that Seles could be the greatest player the women’s game had ever seen?
And what put both players on a collision course that would end with one of them in hospital?
Presented by Clare Balding
Produced by Emma Roberts
Additional reporting by Russell Fuller
Mixed by Gareth Isles
Executive Producer: Joe Haddow
Assistant Commissioner: Rob Green
Commissioning Executive: Stevie Middleton

On April 30, 1993, one moment of madness changed the course of tennis history, and confronted the world of sport with an uncomfortable reality - how safe were its biggest stars?
Teenage phenomenon, Monica Seles, had taken the tennis world by storm, and was one of the most famous female athletes on the planet. But on that fateful day in 1993, she became the victim of a public and violent crime - in front of thousands of onlookers, she was ambushed on court and stabbed in the back by a spectator.
Hear what happened from those who were there; how shock and disbelief gave way to questions. But first we must answer: who was Monica Seles?
Clare Balding charts the meteoric rise of the pocket rocket from Yugoslavia, whose raw power took her from the brutalist concrete car park courts of Serbia, to the sun-soaked state-of-the-art courts of Florida - ushering in a new era of women’s tennis.
Before long, the young pretender comes up against the queen of tennis - Steffi Graf - but does Seles really have what it takes to take down Germany’s golden girl? At Roland Garros in 1989, the world got its first glimpse of the rivalry that would become one of the most talked about in the sport - but not for the reason anyone expects.
Warning: This episode contains descriptions of violence.
Presented by Clare Balding
Written & Produced by Emma Roberts
Additional reporting by Russell Fuller
Mixed by Gareth Iles
Executive Producer: Joe Haddow
Assistant Commissioner: Rob Green
Commissioning Executive: Stevie Middleton

Clare Balding tells the story of how a shocking act of violence altered sporting history, and how a visionary tennis champion fought to find her way back to the life she once had