Nine-time Grand Slam champion Monica Seles opens up about living with rare autoimmune disease
In the world of elite sports, every champion faces defining moments: breakthroughs, victories, defeats and sometimes, life-altering challenges that transcend the scoreline.
Monica Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam Champion and a tennis legend who soared to prominence as a teenage phenomenon, now confronts one of her toughest opponents off the court. After enduring a series of seismic 'resets' through her life that begins with immigrating to a new country to surviving a violent on-court attack, Seles once again finds herself at a pivotal crossroads. This time, the adversary is myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular disease that disrupts even the simplest routines.
And yet, amid vulnerability, she boldly chooses visibility. She chooses to raise awareness instead of crumbling. As the U.S. Open approaches, Seles's decision to speak up is not merely a personal revelation. Rather, it is a powerful, humanizing message of resilience, adaptation, and profound courage that one might need in order to battle such health setbacks.
Monica Seles opens up about her diagnosis of '
autoimmune disease
'
Monica Seles Reveals Battle With Rare Autoimmune Disease
Tennis star Monica Seles has recently disclosed that she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, commonly referred to as MG, a chronic neuromuscular autoimmune disease, three years ago.
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At age 51, she is speaking publicly about this for the first time, ahead of the U.S. Open, with the intent of raising awareness and connecting with others affected by this condition. Now, by turning public attention to a rare chronic illness, she transforms her legacy into a beacon of resilience all while using her voice to shift narratives beyond sport and into human empathy.
(via. People.com)
The earliest signs emerged unexpectedly during a casual game with family. Seles recounted, 'I would be playing with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball. I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore.' . Beyond double vision, she also experienced muscle weakness that made routine tasks—like even 'just blowing my hair out … became very difficult'. (via.NDTV sports)
What is 'Myasthenia Gravis': the autoimmune disorder that Seles got diagnosed with?
Myasthenia gravis is an autoimmune disorder in which the body's immune system disrupts communication between nerves and muscles, resulting in weakened voluntary muscles.
According to the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, the disease 'causes weakness in the voluntary muscles' and 'most commonly impacts young adult women (under 40) and older men (over 60) but ... can occur at any age, including childhood.
' Mayo Clinic further notes that symptoms may include drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, swallowing, chewing, breathing, and limb movement.
How is Seles dealing with this 'uncurable' disease?
Seles framed her diagnosis as yet 'another reset' in a life punctuated by profound transformations.
She compared this to her immigration to the U.S. as a young teenager, navigating early stardom, and enduring the horrific 1993 stabbing incident . She stated, 'Really, being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis: another reset,' and reminded others she mentors, 'You've got to always adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you've just got to adjust.
And that's what I'm doing now.' (via. People.com)
As part of her efforts, Seles has partnered with the immunology company, Argenx, for its 'Go for Greater' campaign which is a collaboration timed with the U.S.
Open to amplify awareness of MG and foster connection and support within the patient community.
Monica Seles's decision to go public with her myasthenia gravis diagnosis is a bold step towards fighting this disease. It is an act of profound vulnerability and empowerment. In sharing how the condition affects her day-to-day life quite a lot, she dispels silence around rare diseases and invites empathy and understanding .
Her narrative reframes strength and not as infallibility, but as the courage to adapt, to speak up, and to seek connection.
In a world often enamored by victories measured in trophies and titles, Seles offers a reminder that human resilience shines brightest when we confront our limitations head-on and choose to inspire others through our truths. As she embarks on this journey, she gifts the world a renewed definition of what it means to be a champion both on and off the court.
Catch Rani Rampal's inspiring story on Game On, Episode 4. Watch Here!
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