Tennis great Monica Seles shares disease diagnosis: 'I'm not backing down'

Monica Seles. (Getty/Clive Brunskill)

Nine-time Grand Slam champion Monica Seles has found comfort in sharing her battle with myasthenia gravis (MG), three years after being diagnosed.

The rare chronic autoimmune disease causes muscle weakness, which can impact breathing, facial expressions, swallowing and eye movement among other functions.

"I would be playing [tennis] with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball. I was like, 'Yeah, I see two balls.' These are obviously symptoms that you can't ignore," Seles told the Associated Press. "And, for me, this is when this journey started. It took me quite some time to really absorb it, speak openly about it, because it's a difficult one. It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot."

She added, "When I got diagnosed, I was like, 'What?!'" So this is where – I can't emphasise enough – I wish I had somebody like me speak up about it."

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The 51-year-old posted a video on Instagram to discuss her journey on court and a new battle behind the scenes.

"I've seen some tough competition over the years, and now I'm taking on a new opponent, myasthenia gravis," she wrote.

"And like all my battles on the tennis court, I'm not backing down. I'm Going for Greater with MG."

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Seles is contributing to the Go for Greater campaign in the hope of raising awareness for the disease.

In April 1993, Seles was stabbed by a spectator during a match in Germany, resulting in a 0.5 inch deep wound between her shoulders blades, which forced her to miss more than two years.

Seles, who became an American citizen in 1994, recollected the emotional welcome she received at the 1995 US Open.

"The way they welcomed me… after my stabbing, I will never forget," she said.

"Those are the moments that stay with you."

Now, Seles is adapting to a "new normal", as she continues her brave fight.

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