Monica Seles Confronts Autoimmune Disease with Determined Gym Comeback
Tennis icon Monica Seles has demonstrated remarkable resilience as she continues to grapple with a rare autoimmune condition, making an emotional and inspiring return to the gym. The 52-year-old former champion, who secured nine Grand Slam titles during her illustrious career, disclosed in August of last year that she had been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. This neuromuscular autoimmune disorder leads to weakness in voluntary muscles, presenting significant daily challenges.
A Journey of Perseverance and Positivity
Despite facing numerous obstacles throughout her life, including a traumatic stabbing incident by a deranged fan during a tennis match, Seles remains steadfast in her commitment to maintaining a positive outlook and prioritising her physical health. Over the weekend, she shared a photograph of herself in workout attire, holding a medicine ball, as a testament to her dedication to a healthy lifestyle.
"I'm a little late on my New Year's resolution, but I'm reminding myself to be kind and to embrace the idea that it's better to start late than not at all," Seles wrote in her social media post. This message underscores her philosophy of perseverance, even when faced with setbacks.
Understanding Myasthenia Gravis and Its Impact
Last summer, Seles opened up for the first time about her 2022 diagnosis, revealing that it took her considerable time to process and discuss the condition openly. "It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot," she admitted in an interview with the Associated Press. The National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke describes myasthenia gravis as a chronic neuromuscular disease that causes weakness in voluntary muscles, typically affecting young adult women under 40 and older men over 60, though it can occur at any age.
Seles first noticed symptoms while playing tennis, experiencing issues such as missing the ball or seeing double vision during casual games with friends and family. Initially unaware of the condition, she sought medical advice after noticing double vision and weakness in her arms, which made even simple tasks like drying her hair difficult.
Embracing a "New Normal" with Resilience
The International Tennis Hall of Famer has had to adapt to what she calls her "new normal," learning to navigate life with myasthenia gravis. She likened this adjustment to the "hard resets" she has faced throughout her life, including moving to the United States as a teenager, dealing with fame at a young age, and recovering from the stabbing attack in 1993.
"And then, really, being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis: another reset. But one thing, as I tell kids that I mentor: 'You've got to always adjust. That ball is bouncing, and you've just got to adjust,'" Seles explained, drawing parallels between her health journey and her tennis career.
Reflecting on a Storied Career and Personal Triumphs
Seles burst onto the tennis scene as a prodigy, winning her first Grand Slam title at the age of 16 at the 1990 French Open, becoming the youngest champion in history. She dominated the sport with victories at Roland Garros, the Australian Open, and the US Open, narrowly missing a calendar Grand Slam in 1992 after a loss to Steffi Graf at Wimbledon.
Her career was abruptly interrupted in 1993 when, at age 19, she was stabbed in the back by Guenter Parche, an unemployed German man obsessed with Graf. The attack, which occurred during a match in Hamburg, left her with a serious injury just millimeters from her spine. Despite this trauma, Seles made a miraculous recovery, returning to tennis in 1995 and winning the Canadian Open, followed by a runner-up finish at the US Open.
She continued to achieve success, winning the Australian Open in 1996 and reaching the French Open final in 1998 before retiring in 2003 due to a foot injury. Throughout her career and personal struggles, Seles has exemplified unwavering determination, now channeling that same spirit into her battle with myasthenia gravis.
