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Tennis legend Monica Seles recently revealed her battle with myasthenia gravis (MG), a neuromuscular autoimmune disease. In an interview with The Associated Press, the nine-time Grand Slam champion discussed her diagnosis and the challenges she faces navigating this “new normal.”
Seles, now 51, first noticed symptoms while playing casual tennis. Experiencing double vision and weakness in her arms and legs, even simple tasks like drying her hair became difficult. Initially perplexed by the symptoms, Seles sought medical advice and was subsequently diagnosed with MG three years ago.
MG, according to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, causes weakness in voluntary muscles and most commonly affects young adult women and older men. Seles is now partnering with argenx, an immunology company, to raise awareness for the disease through their Go for Greater campaign. She admitted that hearing from someone else with the condition would have been helpful during her initial diagnosis, underscoring the importance of her speaking out.
This isn’t the first time Seles has had to overcome adversity. From immigrating to the US at 13 to navigating the pressures of fame and fortune at a young age, Seles has consistently demonstrated resilience.
Perhaps most notably, she returned to professional tennis after a shocking on-court stabbing attack in 1993. She fondly recalled the warm welcome she received from fans at the 1995 US Open, where she reached the final.
Comparing her health journey to her life experiences, Seles describes MG as another “hard reset.” She encourages others to embrace adaptability, reflecting on her own ability to adjust and overcome challenges throughout her life, both on and off the court.