It's amazing that Monica isn't jaded or temperamental figuring free time is a luxury she just doesn't have. When she can find a moment, she "plays with my dog, a Yorkie, and you know, just go to the movies, the beach, or spend time with my friends. There's just no time."

And that's the source of so much confusion recently. To challenge for the top spot, Seles has to become a fitter, faster player to keep up with the speed and inhuman power of the Williamses. And she recognizes this.

In interviews, however, she seems hesitant to make the fitness commitment. When I challenge her about her reluctance to commit, she gives me the real reason for the misgivings. "It's just so hard because of the timing. I mean for the next month a half, I'm playing Fed Cup in California, and then I go to Japan for two weeks and then to Switzerland, Russia, and Austria. To make major improvements, I really need to put in the time, but I don't want to say no to anybody when it comes to playing. Too many contractual commitments."

When Monica finds the time and makes that commitment, the young guns might just find their fire extinguished.

I end by getting her comment on a recent quote from the oh-so-eloquent Richard Williams. He recently said in Canada that he wants Serena and Venus to quit tennis at 22 because "we're not training nuts and fools. We're training out kids to be where they can function in a real world because tennis is not real world."

About early retirement, Monica seems slightly skeptical. "Time will tell. Serena and Venus are only at the beginning of their careers. But I agree with that, that tennis is not real world. It's such a different life. But you know, then again, what is real world?"

And that's what I find so fascinating about Monica Seles. She idolizes Mother Theresa and Mandela because they've put so much of themselves into their lives and because "nobody like them exists anymore." When Monica puts down the racket, we'll understand why her comment is so ironic. In the world of tennis, she is our ambassador of reality.

She understands what is important--peace, simplicity, honesty, and most of all, hope. She has injected a dose of truth into an "unreal" world defined by young millionaires, arrogance, and short-lived stars.