Tennis legend Monica Seles discusses her experiences with myasthenia gravis, a condition she was diagnosed with in the past.
Monica Seles, the four-time Australian Open champion and tennis legend, has revealed she was diagnosed with myasthenia gravis in 2023. This rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease affects about 20 people out of every 100,000 worldwide, and is most common in women around the age of 40 and men over the age of 60.
Seles, who has won a total of nine Grand Slam titles, expressed that speaking openly about her diagnosis was difficult due to the impact it has on her day-to-day life. However, she hopes to bring awareness to the disease through her interview.
The disease causes skeletal muscle weakness, and common symptoms include blurry and double vision, muscle weakness in the arms, hands, legs, neck, difficulty speaking, swallowing or chewing. Seles noticed double vision while playing tennis, which she found concerning.
There is no cure for myasthenia gravis, but treatment is available to help manage symptoms. Seles' current treatment involves a combination of medications and lifestyle adjustments. She is also associated as a spokesperson for Argenx, a pharmaceutical company producing immunology medications, indicating that she likely uses their antibody-based therapies as part of her regimen.
Seles adapts her daily life with new routines and planning to accommodate the physical challenges caused by MG. She also finds support and resources through online communities like MG-United, which provide tools for managing daily symptoms and help with social and emotional adaptation to the disease.
Seles compares her approach to her myasthenia gravis diagnosis to a "hard reset" in her tennis career. She had to undergo a similar reset after she was stabbed in Germany during a match in April 1993, and again when she came to the U.S. as a young 13-year-old, didn't speak the language, left her family, and it was a very tough time.
Through it all, Seles remains positive and inspiring. She advises kids to always adjust like a ball bouncing, they just have to adjust. Her resilience and determination are a testament to her strength, both on and off the court.
[1] The Associated Press
[2] MG-United
[3] Argenx
[4] Mayo Clinic
[5] Johns Hopkins Medicine
- Monica Seles, known for her success in sports, especially tennis, has been diagnosed with a neurological disorder called myasthenia gravis in 2023.
- Seles, despite the challenges brought by her health condition, is using her platform to raise awareness about the disease and emphasizes the importance of managing medical-conditions like myasthenia gravis through treatment and lifestyle adjustments.
- As a spokesperson for Argenx, a pharmaceutical company, Seles likely uses their antibody-based therapies as part of her regimen in managing her neurological disorder.
- For those seeking additional information and support regarding myasthenia gravis, resources such as MG-United and health-and-wellness sites like Mayo Clinic and Johns Hopkins Medicine offer valuable tools and insights.
