Tennis legend Monica Seles has revealed that she has been diagnosed with myasthenia gravis, a rare neuromuscular autoimmune disease. The 51-year-old, nine-time Grand Slam singles champion, shared that she received the diagnosis three years ago and is now opening up about her experiences to raise awareness of the condition.

Myasthenia gravis affects an estimated 20 out of every 100,000 people worldwide and is characterized by muscle weakness and fatigue. The disease can impact various muscles in the body, including those controlling eye movement, facial expressions, swallowing, and breathing. Common symptoms include double vision, drooping eyelids, difficulty speaking, and weakness in the arms and legs. While there is currently no known cure for myasthenia gravis, treatments are available to help manage the symptoms.

Seles first noticed symptoms while playing tennis with family members. She experienced double vision, making it difficult to hit the ball. "I would be playing 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. Simple activities, such as blowing out her hair, also became challenging.

The former world No. 1 said it took time to process the diagnosis. "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 explained. Seles also noted that she had never heard of myasthenia gravis before being referred to a neurologist.

Seles, who won her first major title at the French Open in 1990 at the age of 16, sees this diagnosis as another "reset" in her life. She had previously faced other significant challenges, including moving to the United States as a teenager without knowing the language and the stabbing incident during a match in 1993. Despite these difficulties, Seles maintains a positive outlook. "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. And that's what I'm doing now," Seles said.

Seles is partnering with a Dutch immunology company to raise awareness about myasthenia gravis. By sharing her story, she hopes to help others recognize the symptoms of the disease and seek timely diagnosis and treatment.