Tennis legend Monica Seles has revealed that she has been living with myasthenia gravis, a rare chronic neuromuscular autoimmune disorder, since 2022. The 51-year-old nine-time Grand Slam champion shared that the diagnosis came after she began experiencing double vision and noticeable weakness while playing tennis with family.
Initially unaware of the condition, Seles said the news came as a shock. Even simple daily routines—like doing her hair—became unexpectedly difficult. Reflecting on her journey, she compared the experience to other life-altering moments she has faced, including immigrating to the United States, coping with the pressures of early fame, and surviving a traumatic on-court stabbing in 1993. Each challenge, she explained, required a “hard reset” in life, and this diagnosis has been no different.
Turning Struggle into Advocacy
Rather than retreat from public life, Monica Seles has stepped forward to raise awareness for myasthenia gravis. She has partnered with a health awareness campaign, using her platform to educate the public about the disease and offer support to those affected.
Seles spoke about how her years as a professional athlete taught her to listen to her body, which ultimately helped her recognize that something was wrong. The muscle weakness in her arms and legs, paired with vision problems, signaled a need to seek medical advice. She now encourages others to pay attention to subtle changes in their health and to advocate for themselves during the diagnostic process.
The former world No. 1 acknowledged the emotional and physical toll of living with MG. From packing for trips to performing simple daily tasks, life has changed significantly. Yet, she emphasizes that knowing there is a supportive community and treatment options provides hope for the future.
A Message of Resilience
With the U.S. Open around the corner, Monica Seles is using this high-profile moment in the tennis calendar to speak out about her experience. While she admits that going public was not easy, she believes her story could help others feel less alone.
Drawing from the resilience she displayed throughout her tennis career, Monica Seles approaches her health journey with determination. She often uses the metaphor of a tennis match—when the ball bounces unexpectedly, you adjust and keep playing. It’s a mindset she shares with the young athletes she mentors and one she applies in her own life as she adapts to living with MG.
Monica Seles’s openness about her diagnosis underscores her commitment to turning personal adversity into an opportunity for awareness and empowerment. Her story serves as both a reminder of the unpredictability of life and an example of how strength and purpose can emerge from even the most challenging circumstances.
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