Monica Seles diagnosis revealed: What it means for her health
Monica Seles, nine-time Grand Slam champion, has revealed her myasthenia gravis diagnosis. Credit: ABC News
In an emotional revelation, tennis legend Monica Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed her diagnosis with myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic neuromuscular autoimmune disease. As she steps into the public eye ahead of the U.S. Open, Seles shares how MG affects her daily life and reflects on the resilience that defined her historic career.
What Is the Diagnosis? Understanding Myasthenia Gravis
Monica Seles disclosed that she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis three years ago, but is speaking about it publicly for the first time to raise awareness. MG causes muscle weakness, impacting voluntary movement, and can affect vision, chewing, speaking, and posture .
She recounted initial symptoms like double vision and muscle fatigue, symptoms that surfaced during casual family tennis games and even made “blowing her hair out” difficult . Though manageable, the condition requires ongoing adaptation and sheds light on the often unpredictable nature of autoimmune diseases.
What the Diagnosis Means for Seles’ Daily Life
Seles revealed that living with MG has required her to recalibrate how she approaches everyday tasks. She referred to it as another major “reset”, joining her personal journey from migrating to the U.S. at age 13, coping with fame, surviving a traumatic on-court stabbing, and now adjusting to life with a chronic illness .
Speaking through firsthand experience, she emphasized the importance of resilience and adaptation, particularly for those living with MG or unfamiliar health challenges. She’s also joining forces with immunology group argenx for the “Go for Greater” campaign, advocating for community, education, and support.
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A Glorious Tennis Legacy
Monica Seles’ diagnosis sheds fresh light on the remarkable perseverance she displayed throughout her tennis career. She shattered records early, winning her first Grand Slam title at 16 at the 1990 French Open, ultimately claiming nine Grand Slam singles titles.
A dominant force in women’s tennis, she held the world No. 1 ranking for 178 weeks, an astounding feat that ranks her among the WTA all-time greats . Her brilliance shone through adversity, she bravely returned to competition after a harrowing on-court stabbing in 1993, capturing the 1996 Australian Open, her final major victory.
Her total of 53 WTA singles titles, a US Open bronze medal, an Olympic medal, and induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009, cement her indelible legacy.
Why This Moment Matters
Seles’ decision to speak openly about MG ahead of the U.S. Open isn’t just news, it’s a powerful advocacy moment. Her voice and experience bring human resonance to a disease that often remains in the shadows, offering hope and representation to those navigating similar challenges.
Her story reinforces that even champions of sport can face invisible battles, and that adaptability and courage remain at the core of every champion’s journey.