Sport's Strangest Crimes - Tennis' Darkest Hour: 2. There’s Always A Contender

Download Tennis' Darkest Hour: 2. There’s Always A Contender

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

Published on Monday, 21st September 2026.

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