Monica Seles Opens Up About Her Battle with Myasthenia Gravis

MONICA SELES OPENS UP ABOUT HER SECRET BATTLE WITH RARE AUTOIMMUNE DISEASE

Tennis legend Monica Seles is taking the spotlight for more than just her incredible tennis skills. The 51-year-old icon has been living with a rare autoimmune disease called myasthenia gravis, and she's finally speaking out about it.

Seles, who won an impressive nine Grand Slam titles during her illustrious career, revealed that she was diagnosed with the condition three years ago. But what makes this revelation even more shocking is that Seles had been experiencing symptoms for years before getting a proper diagnosis.

"I would be playing with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball," Seles explained to The Associated Press. "I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore."

Seles' struggles began on the court, but soon spread to everyday activities. Even simple tasks like drying her hair became a challenge. The International Tennis Hall of Famer admitted that she had to take time to adjust to her "new normal" and learn to live with her condition.

"I had to, in tennis terms, I guess, reset — hard reset — a few times," Seles said. "I call my first hard reset when I came to the U.S. as a young 13-year-old (from Yugoslavia). Didn't speak the language; left my family. It's a very tough time."

But this wasn't the only reset Seles had to make in her life. She also had to overcome the trauma of being stabbed by a deranged fan on court in 1993. Guenter Parche, an unemployed German man, attacked Seles with a nine-inch serrated boning knife while she was playing in Hamburg.

The attack sent shockwaves through the tennis world, and it seemed like Seles' career was over for good. But not only did she make a miraculous recovery, but she also went on to win the 1995 Canadian Open and even made it to the final of the US Open.

"It's funny," Seles said about her attacker's motivations. "He thought he was teaching me a lesson because I wasn't pretty enough for him."

But what's even more remarkable is that Seles has never let her struggles hold her back. She continued to compete at the highest level, even winning the Australian Open in 1996 and making it to the final of Roland Garros two years later.

Seles' decision to speak out about her condition is part of a larger campaign with argenx, an immunology company headquartered in the Netherlands. As part of their "Go for Greater" initiative, Seles hopes to raise awareness about myasthenia gravis and encourage others to share their own stories.

"I wish I had somebody like me speak up about it," Seles said about her diagnosis. "I'm doing this so that people know they're not alone."

Seles' courage is inspiring, and her determination is a testament to the strength of the human spirit. As she prepares to take on the US Open, fans around the world will be cheering her on not just for her incredible tennis skills but also for her unwavering resilience in the face of adversity.

The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke defines myasthenia gravis as a "chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in the voluntary muscles" and notes that it most commonly affects young adult women under 40 and older men over 60. But Seles' diagnosis serves as a reminder that this condition can occur at any age, including childhood.

As Seles continues to advocate for awareness and understanding of myasthenia gravis, she's also offering words of encouragement to those who may be struggling with the same condition.

"You've got to always adjust," Seles said. "That ball is bouncing, and you've just got to adjust."

And that's exactly what Monica Seles has done – adjusted to her new normal and continued to shine on and off the court.