During U.S. Open kickoff week, the tennis legend opens up about her diagnosis and the life changes—and reflections—it’s forced her to make.
For most of her life, Monica Seles has been defined by movement—explosive footwork on the court, powerful baseline strokes, and the sheer joy of competition. But when the International Tennis Hall of Famer began experiencing sudden muscle weakness and double vision, she knew something was wrong.
The diagnosis was myasthenia gravis (MG), a rare chronic autoimmune neuromuscular disease that causes extreme fatigue and muscle weakness. For Seles, 51, it’s the latest in a lifetime of challenges that would have sidelined most people—leaving her family in Yugoslavia to move to the U.S. as a teenager, navigating the pressures of turning pro and becoming world No. 1, and surviving a stabbing in 1993 that shocked the sports world.
With the 2025 U.S. Open currently underway (the Woman’s Final takes place on September 6 while the Men’s is September 7), Seles is partnering with Argenx to share her story publicly—offering support, resources, and a message of solidarity to others living with the condition. Seles spoke with The Healthy by Reader’s Digest about how myasthenia gravis has forced her to give up some of the activities she loves most, adapt to a “new normal,” and face moments of deep isolation. Just as she’s done throughout her career, she’s determined to meet this challenge head-on.
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The Healthy by Reader’s Digest: Monica, take us back to when you first began noticing your myasthenia gravis symptoms. What were those early signs? How did they impact your daily life?
Monica Seles: I love playing tennis, I’m still one of those athletes that actually enjoys it. When I was working with kids, I noticed extreme, extreme weakness in my legs, arms, and also double vision. So I knew something was off. I went to see a doctor who sent me to a neurologist, and I’ve learned my diagnosis.
The Healthy: Myasthenia gravis is such a rare and often misunderstood condition. What was your path to diagnosis when you did see that neurologist, and how did that experience shape your outlook on health and turning to self-advocacy?
Monica Seles: There was tremendous fear before the diagnosis because of the extreme leg weakness, double vision, and I suddenly couldn’t do something that I love to do, which was my passion, but also my job. I enjoyed working with kids. So finally, when I went to see a neurologist and he diagnosed me with myasthenia gravis, in a way it was a relief to know that I have a diagnosis—I know what’s going on and what’s happening.
At the same time, I’d never heard of myasthenia gravis. I mean, my neurologist had to write the name down for me. So anytime you get any diagnosis that really affects your day-to-day life, it takes time to process. For me, it has definitely taken some time to process and learn my new normal, both in my professional life and personal life.
The Healthy: What resources are you most passionate about sharing?
Monica Seles: The first one would be if you feel some of the symptoms that are associated with myasthenia gravis—you have to see a neurologist. But I think for me, what has helped tremendously is a website, MGUnited.com, where there are tons of tools. There’s also the Going for Greater Action Plan. It’s a three-step plan, and in my case, I go on it a few times a week because it has great tips. Like in my case today—how to do travel? Before, when I would travel, I never even thought about managing it. So it has really helped me, but most importantly, the community aspect … to feel that we’re in this together, fellow MG patients. The diagnosis is shocking. It’s a change to your life, but it’s also a change to your family members and your coworkers. For me, these were super important things in coming out, partnering with Argenx in raising awareness—because without them I really would not be able to do this.
The Healthy: Do doctors know why somebody gets this? Is it genetic? Is it environmental?
Monica Seles: For my case, they don’t know.
The Healthy: You’ve described moments of isolation. Talk about the emotional shift and mental health side for you.
Monica Seles: I had to reset a few times in my life—first as a young girl coming from a different country to the U.S., I didn’t speak the language, left my family. So it was a big adjustment period. Then joining the pro tour at a young age was another reset. And then obviously my stabbing was another reset—and it’s actually 30 years today that I came back at the US Open after my stabbing as my first tournament. Being diagnosed with myasthenia gravis was another reset that was totally unexpected—things like that alter your day-to-day life tremendously.
The Healthy: I had never heard that word used like that—“reset.” How did you cope with each of those four resets?
Monica Seles: Well, as a young teenager—this is obviously pre-social media—when you come to a new country, new language, all to pursue the goal of your dream, which for me was to be the best tennis player that I could, I never imagined that I would go to these heights. So a reset was just to leave part of what you knew, part of your friends back home, things like that. But all because I loved to play tennis.
I was very lucky—my parents never pushed me. I have a great relationship with tennis to this day. Then joining the pro tour at 16, being number one in the world at 17—these are life-altering changes where the financial side, the fame side comes in. It’s very easy to lose sight of what’s important in life, yet you’re a teenager, you want independence from your parents. So that was another one.
And then obviously at 19, being stabbed in my back by a person was a huge reset that I had to come back from. But essentially, I always came back because I love to play tennis. I love the sport—and in a way, I thank the sport for getting me diagnosed with myasthenia gravis. These few little shifts in my life—these resets—have helped me be where I am today, where I actually felt comfortable coming out on a totally different scale to my friends, family members, and to the world about my myasthenia gravis. To say: it’s OK. I can help people, fellow patients who have myasthenia gravis, to know that you’re not alone. I’ve got it, and it’s one day at a time and one step at a time.
The Healthy: What are some wellness practices—mental or physical—that help you feel grounded and strong today? Are you a meditation person?
Monica Seles: For me, I’ve meditated most of my life—from a younger age on. There are so many trends out there. I’m at that stage where I just love watching the younger generation come up and learning from them, seeing what works. But for me, really, meditation has helped tremendously in navigating life. And I think really good friends, family, and a community.
The Healthy: What is one self-care ritual you refuse to skip?
Monica Seles: Oh, for me, that one is very easy. I find a lot of grounding spending time with animals. Whether it’s with my own animals or volunteering in different shelters, I’ve always—through the most difficult periods of my life—found that they provide the most unconditional love. And if I can just give that love back, then I’ve done my part.
The Healthy: Beautiful. Who are you watching closely this year at the Open?
Monica Seles: I always think back to when I played and everyone was like, “Oh, it’s again going to be Seles, Graf, or Serena and Venus.” Now, we don’t know. It’s wide open. Obviously, I would love to see the American players like Jessica Pegula and Coco Gauff [win], but the young teenagers are coming up. So I really can’t pick. I’m just happy the players are able to play their last Grand Slam here in New York because they’re giving their all. This is it. After this, they can breathe deeply. I look forward to watching it as a fan. May the best player win.
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This interview has been edited for length and clarity.
