Quick Read
- Tennis legend Monica Seles reveals her diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular autoimmune disease.
- Seles first noticed symptoms like double vision and muscle weakness in 2019, leading to her diagnosis three years ago.
- She describes her life as a series of ‘resets,’ including her migration to the U.S., recovery from a stabbing, and now living with MG.
- Seles is partnering with Argenx to raise awareness about myasthenia gravis through the ‘Go for Greater’ campaign.
- She remains active in the tennis community and plans to use the U.S. Open as a platform for advocacy.
Monica Seles, the celebrated nine-time Grand Slam champion and a former world number one, has revealed her ongoing battle with myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular autoimmune disease. In a series of interviews, the 51-year-old tennis icon shared her journey, aiming to raise awareness about the condition and inspire others facing similar challenges. Seles, who retired from professional tennis in 2008, disclosed that she was diagnosed three years ago after experiencing symptoms that disrupted her daily life and love for the sport.
Understanding Myasthenia Gravis
Myasthenia gravis is a rare autoimmune disease that affects the neuromuscular junction, disrupting communication between nerves and muscles. According to the Mayo Clinic, symptoms often include muscle weakness, double vision, droopy eyelids, and difficulty with basic functions such as swallowing, speaking, or walking. The Cleveland Clinic estimates that MG affects approximately 20 in every 100,000 people globally, with women under 40 and men over 60 being the most commonly affected demographics. While the disease is not curable, treatments such as medications, thymus gland removal, and lifestyle adjustments can help manage symptoms.
Seles first noticed signs of MG in 2019 when she began experiencing double vision and weakness in her arms and legs. “I would see two balls coming at me instead of one,” she recalled in an interview with AP News. Initially dismissing the symptoms, she eventually sought medical advice, leading to her diagnosis after extensive testing. The journey to understanding and accepting the condition, she admitted, was both physically and emotionally challenging.
A Life of Resets
Monica Seles is no stranger to challenges. Born in Yugoslavia, she moved to the United States at the age of 13, leaving her family behind to pursue her tennis dreams. By 16, she had already claimed her first Grand Slam title at the French Open in 1990. However, her career took a devastating turn in 1993 when she was stabbed during a tournament in Hamburg, Germany, by a fan obsessed with her rival, Steffi Graf. The attack sidelined her for over two years, but she made a triumphant return, winning the 1996 Australian Open.
Reflecting on her life, Seles described her journey as a series of “resets.” “I had to reset when I moved to the U.S., when I became a top player, after the stabbing, and now with my MG diagnosis,” she told USA Today. She emphasized the importance of adaptability, comparing life’s challenges to adjusting to a bouncing tennis ball. “You’ve got to always adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you’ve just got to adjust,” she said.
Living with MG
For Seles, living with myasthenia gravis has meant redefining her daily routines and expectations. Simple tasks like blowing out her hair or playing tennis have become challenging on some days. “There are days when I can play tennis, pickleball, and walk my dogs, but there are also days when the symptoms are extreme,” she shared with The New York Times. Despite these difficulties, Seles remains determined to maintain an active lifestyle, finding joy in the sport she loves while adapting to her “new normal.”
One of her primary motivations for speaking publicly about her diagnosis is to connect with others in the MG community. Partnering with the immunology company Argenx, Seles is working on the “Go for Greater” campaign to promote awareness and encourage patients to advocate for themselves. “I wish I had someone like me to speak up about it when I was diagnosed,” she said, highlighting the isolation many MG patients feel.
Using Her Platform for Advocacy
As the U.S. Open approaches, Seles plans to use the event as a platform to raise awareness about myasthenia gravis. In addition to attending matches, she will participate in campaigns and discussions aimed at educating the public about the disease. “This is another way I can give back to the sport and the community,” she said in an interview with CBS News.
Despite the challenges posed by MG, Seles remains optimistic and engaged with the tennis world. She continues to mentor young players and closely follows the sport, expressing excitement about the unpredictability of women’s tennis today. Her resilience and determination to adapt to life’s challenges serve as an inspiration to many, both on and off the court.
Monica Seles’ journey is a testament to the power of perseverance and the human spirit’s ability to overcome adversity. By sharing her story, she hopes to shed light on myasthenia gravis and inspire others to face their own challenges with courage and grace.