Monica Seles, the former tennis champion and nine-time Grand Slam winner, has courageously shared that she is living with myasthenia gravis. This announcement comes exactly three years after she first started to suffer from such health issues. The 51-year-old champion, known for the way she dominated the court and her peers with her strength and poise, will illuminate her incredible story. She’s joining forces with argenx to launch the “Go for Greater” campaign. This initiative aims to raise awareness about the autoimmune disorder, which Seles describes as having a significant impact on her daily life.
As a result, Seles became a household name early in her career. Still only 16 years of age, she captured her first major title at the French Open in 1990. That spark made her single professional career really take off right until the end of her last match in 2003. In her recent years, Seles has faced her own battles. She has fought against a diagnosis of myasthenia gravis, a neuromuscular disorder that weakens the skeletal muscles. Symptoms like double vision and numbness and weakness in her arms and legs have changed her everyday life.
With the US Open again around the corner, beginning on August 24, Seles looks back on her journey since being diagnosed. “When I got diagnosed, I was like, ‘What?!’” she stated. For those who follow her, it’s understandable that it’s taken her years to process and accept the condition and speak freely about it. She added, “To me, here is where this journey began. I read it slowly, purposely to let the ideas sink in completely. Now, I feel prepared to talk candidly about it, despite how difficult a subject it may be.
Seles’s fight with health problems is something she knows well. In 1993, she suffered a horrific assault while competing at an event in Perth, Australia, during which a man stabbed her multiple times. This crisis placed her in a position to have to take a “giant reset” both professionally and personally. Despite these challenges, Seles returned to the sport with resilience, making it to the final of the US Open in 1995.
Her incredible journey has led her to becoming a mentor for children and helping them navigate the challenges life throws their way. She emphasizes the importance of adaptability, saying, “You’ve got to always adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you’ve just got to adjust.” Seles is dedicated to raising awareness and using her platform to inspire others who are fighting the same battle.
The former tennis star’s collaboration with argenx is part of a broader effort to educate the public about myasthenia gravis and support those affected by the condition. Now, she wants to help others by being a shining example for them through her story. Through this, she hopes to provide a supportive community for others suffering from autoimmune disorders.
“So this is where — I can’t emphasize enough — I wish I had somebody like me speak up about it.” – Monica Seles
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