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5 Shocking Ways Myasthenia Gravis Forced Tennis Legend Monica Seles To Make A 'Hard Reset'

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The tennis world was shocked when one of its greatest champions, Monica Seles, revealed her private battle with a rare and debilitating condition, Myasthenia Gravis (MG). As of late 2025, the nine-time Grand Slam winner is actively speaking out about the reality of living with this chronic neuromuscular autoimmune disease, describing her journey as a "hard reset" on life. The news, first publicly disclosed in 2022, highlights a courageous new chapter for the superstar who once dominated the women's tour with an unparalleled two-handed style. The diagnosis has cast a new light on the challenges faced by even the most elite athletes when confronting autoimmune disorders. Seles, a figure of incredible resilience following the 1993 on-court stabbing incident, is now channeling that same fighting spirit into advocacy, helping to raise awareness for Myasthenia Gravis. Her openness provides a vital, current perspective on managing a fluctuating condition that causes extreme muscle weakness and fatigue.

Monica Seles: A Champion's Profile and Legacy

Monica Seles, born on December 2, 1973, in Novi Sad, Yugoslavia (now Serbia), burst onto the professional tennis scene as a teenage prodigy. Her powerful, two-handed forehand and backhand, combined with an aggressive court presence, quickly made her a formidable opponent.

  • Full Name: Monica Seles (Monika Seleš)
  • Date of Birth: December 2, 1973
  • Place of Birth: Novi Sad, SFR Yugoslavia (now Serbia)
  • Nationality: Serbian–American
  • Professional Career: 1989–2003
  • World No. 1 Ranking: Achieved in March 1991, becoming the youngest ever at the time.
  • Grand Slam Titles: 9 (Australian Open: 4, French Open: 3, US Open: 2). She won eight of her nine titles before her 20th birthday.
  • Major Career Highlight: Defeating Steffi Graf to win the 1990 French Open at the age of 16.
  • Olympic Medal: Bronze in singles at the Sydney 2000 Olympic Games.
  • Hall of Fame: Inducted into the International Tennis Hall of Fame in 2009.
  • Personal Life Note: Her career was tragically interrupted by an on-court stabbing in Hamburg, Germany, in 1993, which led to a 27-month hiatus from the sport.

The Myasthenia Gravis Diagnosis: What We Know in 2025

The journey to a diagnosis of Myasthenia Gravis (MG) was subtle and challenging for Seles. She first began noticing symptoms around 2019, though she did not disclose the diagnosis until 2022.

MG is a chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes fluctuating weakness of the voluntary skeletal muscles. This weakness increases during periods of activity and improves after rest. The condition is considered rare, affecting an estimated 20 out of every 100,000 people.

For an athlete whose life was defined by peak physical performance, this diagnosis represents a profound shift in identity and daily life. The disease occurs when the body's immune system mistakenly attacks the communication points between nerves and muscles, specifically the receptors for the neurotransmitter acetylcholine (AChR).

In August 2025, Seles continued to speak publicly about the condition, emphasizing the need for greater awareness and support for others facing similar health battles.

5 Shocking Ways Myasthenia Gravis Has Impacted Seles's Life

While Monica Seles retired from professional tennis in 2003, the symptoms of Myasthenia Gravis began to manifest years later, dramatically altering her "new normal." She has shared how the disease has forced her to make significant, unexpected changes.

1. The Return of Muscle Weakness, Even Off-Court

Seles first noticed the troubling signs while simply swinging a racket—a movement that had been second nature since childhood. The core symptom of MG is muscle weakness and extreme fatigue.

Unlike regular fatigue, the muscle weakness associated with MG is directly linked to repeated use. This meant that even simple, everyday tasks could become monumental efforts. The disease has effectively stripped away the effortless physical capability that defined her career, forcing her to carefully manage her energy levels.

2. The Unpredictable Nature of Fluctuating Symptoms

One of the most challenging aspects of MG is its unpredictability. Seles, accustomed to the rigorous, structured demands of the professional tennis circuit, now faces a condition where her strength can fluctuate dramatically from hour to hour or day to day.

This fluctuation can affect various muscle groups, leading to a range of symptoms:

  • Ocular Symptoms (Ptosis/Diplopia): Droopy eyelids (ptosis) and blurry or double vision (diplopia) are common initial signs.
  • Bulbar Symptoms (Dysphagia/Dysarthria): Difficulty speaking (dysarthria) and swallowing (dysphagia), which can limit facial expressions and make communication challenging.

This variability means planning activities, even non-athletic ones, requires a constant reassessment of her current physical state.

3. The Need for a 'Hard Reset' on Her Active Lifestyle

As a former world-class athlete, Seles’s identity is tied to activity and competition. She has openly stated that the diagnosis required her to make a "hard reset."

This reset involves fundamentally changing her relationship with physical exercise. While physical activity is possible and often recommended for MG patients, it must be carefully managed to avoid triggering severe fatigue or a myasthenic crisis. The intense, high-impact routines of a champion must be replaced with a measured, low-impact regimen focused on conservation and consistency.

4. Becoming a Global Advocate for a Rare Disease

Seles has transitioned from a tennis champion to a powerful advocate, using her global platform to raise awareness for Myasthenia Gravis. This role is a direct result of her personal experience and the realization that many people struggle with the condition in silence.

Her advocacy focuses on encouraging early diagnosis and highlighting the available treatments, such as medications (e.g., cholinesterase inhibitors, immunosuppressants) and, in some cases, thymectomy (removal of the thymus gland). By sharing her story, she has joined other high-profile individuals, like track and field athlete James Carter, in bringing visibility to the MG community.

5. The Emotional and Mental Toll of a Chronic Condition

Beyond the physical symptoms, living with a chronic, incurable disease like Myasthenia Gravis carries a significant emotional and mental burden. Seles’s journey is a testament to the resilience required to accept a "new normal."

The constant management of a fluctuating condition, the fear of muscle weakness affecting vital functions (like breathing), and the necessary lifestyle modifications can lead to anxiety and depression. Her willingness to discuss the emotional side of MG provides crucial support to others who feel isolated by their diagnosis.

Living with Myasthenia Gravis: Seles's Message

In her recent public statements (August 2025), Monica Seles continues to emphasize that while there is currently no cure for Myasthenia Gravis, it is a manageable condition.

Her focus is on working closely with her medical team, adhering to her treatment plan, and making the necessary lifestyle adjustments—prioritizing rest, managing stress, and modifying her diet. The champion’s spirit that won her nine Grand Slam titles is now dedicated to winning her personal battle, one day at a time, and inspiring others to do the same. Her message is one of hope, resilience, and the importance of self-advocacy in the face of chronic illness.

tennis star monica seles has myasthenia gravis
tennis star monica seles has myasthenia gravis

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