Monica Seles faced significant challenges in her life, including a recent diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune disease that affects muscle strength. In a candid interview with The Associated Press, she shared her personal journey with the illness, which she first noticed while playing tennis. “I started seeing double while playing with kids,” Seles recalled. “That can’t be ignored.”
At 51, Seles has seen the highs and lows of professional sports. She won her first Grand Slam title at just 16 and retired in 2003. Now, she has been open about her experience with myasthenia gravis, which she was diagnosed with three years ago. She hopes her story raises awareness about this condition, especially since it primarily affects young women and older men.
The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes myasthenia gravis as a chronic disease that causes muscle weakness. Seles didn’t know what the symptoms meant until she saw specialists for her double vision and weakness in her arms and legs. “I thought, ‘What?!’” she said upon receiving her diagnosis.
In her efforts to help others, Seles is partnering with argenx, a company focused on immunology, to promote the “Go for Greater” campaign. She expressed the importance of having role models in conversations about health. “I wish someone like me spoke up about this,” she said.
Seles’s journey in tennis has seen many resets, from moving to the U.S. as a teenager and learning a new language, to coping with the traumatic aftermath of an attack in 1993. Each time required her to adjust and redefine her path. “Life keeps throwing you challenges,” she said, “and you have to adapt.”
Her reflections resonate with many facing unexpected life changes. According to a recent survey by the National Institutes of Health, more than 100,000 people in the U.S. live with myasthenia gravis. The rising awareness of this disease could lead to better support systems and treatments.
As she prepares for the upcoming U.S. Open, Seles reminds her fans of the power of resilience: “When that ball is bouncing, you’ve got to adjust.” Each new chapter is a chance to reset, learn, and grow.
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