Tennis legend Monica Seles, a nine-time Grand Slam champion, has been living with the chronic autoimmune disease Myasthenia Gravis (MG) for years. Born in Yugoslavia and now 51, Seles was diagnosed with MG in 2021 after experiencing double vision and extreme weakness in her arms and legs.
Seles’ journey to diagnosis was not easy, as she faced challenges in accessing medical care during the Covid-19 pandemic. After two years of tests and scans, she received a referral to a neurologist and finally got an accurate diagnosis. Her symptoms include fatigue, muscle weakness, and double vision, which can come and go.
“I thought, ‘OK, just push through it,'” Seles said in a video interview from her home in Florida. “But a couple of instances happened when — on court and in daily life — I realized there was something going on.” After her diagnosis, Seles has had to adjust her daily routine, playing tennis and pickleball and walking her dogs while managing her symptoms.
Seles’ experiences with MG are reminiscent of her reset phase during her tennis career. The 1995 Canadian Open final and the 1996 Australian Open victory come to mind. However, living with MG is a continuous adjustment. Some days are more extreme than others, making it hard for an athlete like Seles to cope.
Seles plans to attend the U.S. Open later this month to raise awareness about MG through an event with immunology company Argenx. She also hopes to make television commentary, having done some previously and loved it. Seles believes that sharing her experiences will help others understand the challenges of living with MG.
The tennis world has been following Venus Williams’ comeback closely, and Seles is fascinated by it. As a former player, she understands what it means to be on both sides of success and failure. Seles hopes to share her insights through television commentary, drawing from her extensive experience in the sport.
Source: https://www.nytimes.com/athletic/6543263/2025/08/12/tennis-monica-seles-interview-autoimmune-diagnosis