Seles, renowned tennis player, confronts another hurdle: managing an autoimmune illness
Monica Seles Adjusts to Life with Myasthenia Gravis
Monica Seles, the prominent tennis champion who won nine Grand Slam tournament titles, seven of them before the age of 19, has been dealing with a new challenge in her life since 2019. The former Yugoslavian-born American citizen has been affected by Myasthenia gravis, an autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes muscle weakness and vision problems.
Since her diagnosis in 2019, Seles has had to internally process her experiences, including the incident in April 1993 when she was stabbed by a fan during a tennis event in Germany, and her MG diagnosis. The symptoms of Myasthenia gravis can come in phases, making the diagnosis difficult and requiring a series of tests to rule out other conditions.
Seles has had to adjust her day-to-day life due to her MG diagnosis. She experiences days where she can play tennis and pickleball, but also days that are very extreme, with double vision and extreme weakness in her arms and legs. Despite these challenges, Seles has been resilient and has been working to understand what she can do workwise and in different areas of her life.
After retiring from tennis in 2008, Seles has played exhibitions alongside other tennis legends. She returned to competitive tennis after her stabbing at the 1995 Canadian Open, winning the title. However, since 2019, Seles has largely disappeared from public view.
Seles admires Chris Evert's ability to cover different generations and bring life experience to her commentary. She has considered doing television commentary and has done some previously. Seles believes that for the younger generation, it is important to hear from individuals with a lot of life experience, like Chris Evert.
Despite the challenges she faces, Seles remains optimistic and continues to find ways to stay active. She is an inspiration to many, and her resilience and determination are a testament to her strength and character.
