Monica Seles Breaks Silence on Rare Illness: Tennis Legend Opens Up About Battle with Myasthenia Gravis

 Former tennis world No. 1 and nine-time Grand Slam champion Monica Seles has opened up for the first time about her private battle with myasthenia gravis, a rare autoimmune disorder that affects muscle strength and mobility.

In an emotional and candid interview released ahead of the U.S. Open, the 51-year-old tennis legend revealed that she was diagnosed with the illness three years ago after experiencing unexplained physical symptoms that began subtly but progressed quickly.

“I remember playing casually with friends and thinking something was wrong,” Seles recalled. “I saw two balls instead of one. My muscles felt weak in a way that wasn’t normal. That was the beginning.”

Myasthenia gravis is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disorder that causes weakness in the skeletal muscles responsible for breathing and moving parts of the body. The condition occurs when the body’s immune system produces antibodies that block or destroy muscle receptor sites, impairing communication between nerves and muscles.

Though treatable, the disease can severely impact daily life, and for athletes like Seles—once renowned for her aggressive two-handed strokes and stamina—it presents a dramatic shift in physical capability.

“At first, I didn’t want to believe it,” she said. “But then I had to accept that I was facing something I couldn’t just fight through with willpower or training. This wasn’t about being tough—it was about being patient with myself.”

Seles, who retired from professional tennis in 2008 and has remained largely private since, chose to share her diagnosis now to raise awareness and offer encouragement to others battling chronic illnesses. She has partnered with pharmaceutical company argenx in a global awareness campaign called “Go for Greater,” aiming to educate the public and provide support to myasthenia gravis patients worldwide.

“There were days I felt completely alone. And that’s the hardest part,” Seles said. “But if my story helps even one person feel less isolated, then it’s worth it.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJikZvaYX0Y

This isn’t the first time Seles has faced adversity with remarkable resilience. In 1993, she was the victim of a shocking on-court attack in Germany that sidelined her for over two years. Though she returned to tennis and won another Grand Slam, she never fully regained her dominance—yet her mental strength and grace turned her into a symbol of perseverance.

“I’ve had a few major resets in life,” she said. “Immigrating from Yugoslavia, the stabbing, retiring, and now this diagnosis. It’s like the ball keeps bouncing, and you have to learn to adjust your game every time.”

Monica Seles may no longer be lifting trophies, but her new mission is no less meaningful. By stepping forward with honesty and vulnerability, she’s inspiring a new kind of strength—one grounded in compassion, advocacy, and the courage to speak up.

“You never know what someone else is carrying,” she added. “So be kind—and never stop fighting, no matter the opponent.”