Tennis icon Monica Seles

Tennis icon Monica Seles has opened up about a deeply personal challenge — one she’s been quietly facing for the past three years.

In a heartfelt revelation ahead of the 2025 U.S. Open, the 9-time Grand Slam champion shared that she was diagnosed in 2022 with myasthenia gravis (MG), a chronic autoimmune disease that affects the way nerves communicate with muscles, leading to weakness and fatigue.

Seles said she first noticed something was wrong while casually hitting tennis balls with family. She began experiencing blurry double vision and muscle weakness in her arms and legs — symptoms that eventually pushed her to see a doctor. After a series of tests, she got a diagnosis she’d never even heard of before.

“This is another hard reset,” Seles explained, using a tennis metaphor to describe her life changes. “I’ve had to reset a few times — after my stabbing in 1993, moving to a new country as a child… and now, living with MG. You just have to adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you’ve got to adjust.”

Turning a Challenge Into Action

Rather than staying silent, Seles is now partnering with Argenx, an immunology company, to raise awareness through the “Go for Greater” campaign during the U.S. Open. The goal: help people recognize MG symptoms earlier, encourage timely diagnoses, and make sure patients get the support they need.

The Hall of Famer says the condition has changed her daily life — making even simple routines require careful adjustments — but she’s focused on staying positive and proactive.

“I had never even heard of MG before my diagnosis,” Seles admitted. “That’s why education is so important. People need to know the signs.”

Living With MG

There’s currently no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatments — including medication, surgery, and lifestyle changes — can help patients manage symptoms. For Seles, it’s about finding her “new normal” and inspiring others to face their challenges head-on.

As she steps back into the spotlight at the U.S. Open — not as a competitor, but as an advocate — Seles hopes her story will resonate with anyone navigating an unexpected life turn.