Since the photos of players when they were kids is one of your favorite sections on Women's Tennis Blog, I decided to include it on the homepage, at least for a while. Actually, it's all the idea of our reader Tony (PennettaFan on Twitter). Under the title "Little tennis stars", below in the left sidebar, you can see young Monica Seles and links to all the other players' childhood photos that have been included on Women's Tennis Blog so far.

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Also, I was inspired to make a poll where you can vote for the cutest childhood photo of a WTA player. This list is of course by no means extensive. Feel free to share some cute photos of WTA players you may have come across, and I can feature them in future articles and polls.

Below are my photo favorites included in the poll:

1) Dinara Safina – I love her face expression here.

2) Sara Errani – Adorable curly blond hair, love the vintage look.

Read more »

Let's continue our series of photos of WTA players and their mothers, with this second part especially dedicated to the mothers of retired women’s tennis stars (check out parts I, II and III).

Monica Seles' mother Eszter next to her husband Karoly.

Anastasia Myskina's mother Galina.

Anna Kournikova's mother Alla gave birth to the future tennis star at the young age of 18. Read more »

Monica Seles was officially inducted into the Rogers Cup Hall of Fame at a special ceremony at the 2009 Rogers Cup.

The induction was the icing on the cake of Seles’ special night. Prior to being honored, the former world number one, who had officially retired in 2008, played one more match in Canada, the country where she played her first match after being stabbed.

Partnered with Canadian Aleksandra Wozniak, Seles took the court for an exhibition doubles match against Martina Navratilova and Serena Williams, and lost 6-3. (source: Sony Ericsson WTA Tour)

Former world number one Monica Seles, 35, was inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame on Saturday.

Seles’ career was marked by the stabbing in 1993, but as much as we associate Seles with that incident we always think of her more than impressive tennis career, and unfortunately of how much more successful it could have been had it not been for the incident in Hamburg.

The Yugoslavian-born American who officially retired from tennis last year, won nine Grand Slam singles titles, including four Australian and three French Opens. She is still the youngest French Open champion – when she won the trophy in 1990 she was only 16 years and six months old. Her final Grand Slam title came in 1996 at the Australian Open.

Seles won 53 singles titles and six doubles titles and spent a total of 178 weeks on top of the rankings. She finished 1991 and 1992 as world No.1. (source: Reuters, photo courtesy of Life)

Monica Seles plans to publish her memoirs and has sold her autobiography to Avery, an imprint of Penguin Group (USA).

In this revealing memoir, the former world number one will explore her remarkable journey of brilliant tennis, fame, tragedy, loss and self-discovery. After years of having every aspect of her training, diet and life dictated and scrutinized by others, Monica took control, deciding what she wanted from life and set out to obtain it.

Now that Seles has overcome the struggles that made her overweight and unhappy, she wants to share her journey with the world.

"On February 14th, I officially retired from professional tennis, closing one chapter of my life," said the nine-times Grand Slam champion.

"I’m now opening a new chapter where I hope to share how I found balance, strength and happiness in my life after a rollercoaster ride of exhilarating accomplishment and sometimes overwhelming tragedy. Avery is giving me the opportunity to put this journey in words, and I’m thrilled to be working with them."

Monica Seles’ memoir is scheduled for publication in March 2009. (via On the Baseline)

Monica Seles and partner Jonathan Roberts scored the lowest points on their first two performances on Dancing with the Stars and were hence eliminated from the show.

Even though the nine-time Grand Slam champion is not nearly good a dancer as she’s a tennis player, she was given a standing ovation by the judges and the studio audience.

Seles, who described herself as tone deaf, admitted that the involvement with the show enabled her to develop a new appreciation of dance. She also enjoyed the feminine costumes, hairdos and makeup.

"I never had to shimmy, shake my bootie on the tennis court in a gold sequin dress," said Seles. "But that was what was so great about being on the show."

"I've got an amazing partner in Jonathan. We had an absolute blast. On the tennis court I never had makeup or had my hair done. I never had a chance to go to my prom. I got to live out my fantasy." (via ABC News)

For all of you who don't have ABC or who were simply not at home to watch Monica Seles hit the stage on Monday's Dancing with the Stars, here's how it looked.

The nine-time Grand Slam champion considers herself totally untalented for dancing, and even said she didn't know a tango from a mango, but she gave her best, and looked graceful in the show. Monica took this challenge very seriously, considering it her prom, because for her real prom she played the French Open final.

Tennis fans have all been excited to see Monica in Dancing With the Stars, as well as some of her colleagues. (via Down the Line)

Sixth season of the popular TV show called Dancing with the Stars airs on ABC in just 28 hours and tennis fans are excited that former world No.1 and holder of nine Grand Slam singles titles Monica Seles is taking part in the program.

Monica Seles’ colleagues are excited just as her fans. If Lindsay Davenport has her way, she won't be playing Monday night at the Pacific Life Open. That's because Davenport wants to be home watching her friend Monica dance on ABC.

"I heard she's just doing so well, so I wish her all the luck," Davenport said.

"When people see her I think they'll be reminded of why they love her so much," Davenport added. "We'll be voting for her."

If you’re Seles’ fan, you don't want to miss the show. I will unfortunately have to, since I don’t have ABC. I suppose I’ll find it later on the internet.

Monica Seles officially announced her retirement from professional tennis on Thursday. Even though she hasn’t played competitive matches for five years, the 34-year-old Seles considered a comeback two months ago, after witnessing Lindsay Davenport's successful return. However, Seles eventually decided not to follow Davenport's footsteps. Still, she announced that she will always be involved in tennis in one way or another.

During her successful career, Monica Seles won 53 singles and six doubles tournaments, earning nine Grand Slam titles along the way. She first became No.1 in the world in March 1991 and held the top ranking for 178 weeks over the next two years – the youngest No.1 ever at the time. Read more »

The day has come that one of the best tennis players ever considers a return to tennis action. Former world No.1 Monica Seles would like to make a comeback! Well, that is something I know many tennis fans have been eagerly waiting for.

"I certainly would not ever be able to do a full schedule again, because of the foot,” said the nine-time Grand Slam champion, "but I’m thinking about the Slams and about some of the better tournaments that lead into them."

"I won’t decide for sure until the beginning of the year, and the Australian is certainly not possible,” added the 34-year-old Seles, "But Miami – maybe."

The 2008 Sony Ericsson Open takes place in Miami, from March 26 – April 6, and we can hope that then we’ll see Monica Seles on court. (via Down the Line)