For me, the biggest thing with money has always been independence - just the biggest.

In this quote, Monica Seles, a former professional tennis player, expresses her strong belief that money has always been tied to the idea of independence. She emphasizes that for her, the primary value of having financial resources is the ability to maintain autonomy and freedom. Independence here refers not just to financial freedom, but also the power to make decisions without being constrained by external pressures, such as financial dependence on others.

Seles's statement underscores how having money enables a sense of control over one's life and decisions. As a successful athlete, she likely experienced the pressures that come with fame and competition. For her, independence through money means not being beholden to anyone, whether it be for career decisions, personal choices, or lifestyle. This concept is central to many people’s relationship with money, where it represents a tool for achieving personal freedom.

The origin of this quote comes from Seles' experiences both as a tennis player and as a public figure, where financial success allowed her to navigate her career and personal life on her own terms. Having been one of the most successful athletes of her time, Seles likely viewed money not just as a source of wealth, but as a key element in her ability to control her own life and decisions, especially after enduring a traumatic period in her career.

In essence, Seles' quote reflects the notion that financial independence provides the freedom to live without restrictions. For her, money was not simply a goal for wealth accumulation, but a means to ensure autonomy and make empowered choices in every aspect of her life. Her statement highlights how, for many, the value of money is not in the material possessions it can bring, but in the independence it enables.