Tennis Icon Reveals Battle with Rare and Incurable Nerve Disease

Tennis legend Monica Seles is confronting a devastating personal battle. The former world No. 1 has revealed she’s been diagnosed with a rare and incurable nerve disease that threatens her ability to move — and even breathe.

The 51-year-old Grand Slam icon, who captured hearts with her powerful game and inspiring comeback stories, is now fighting a new opponent: myasthenia gravis.

“It affects my day-to-day life quite a lot,” Seles shared. “Just blowing my hair out… became very difficult.”

Myasthenia gravis is a neurological disorder where the body’s immune system disrupts communication between nerves and muscles. The result can be muscle weakness in the arms and legs, difficulty speaking, swallowing, and in some cases, even respiratory failure.

Seles said she first noticed symptoms about three years ago. What started with double vision and weak limbs became impossible to ignore.

“I would be playing with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball,” she recalled. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I see two balls.’”

Doctors later confirmed the diagnosis. While there is currently no cure, researchers are actively pursuing treatments to ease symptoms and improve quality of life.

Seles rose to international fame in the early ’90s as a teenage phenom, capturing nine Grand Slam singles titles. But her career was tragically interrupted in 1993 when she was stabbed in the back during a match in Hamburg, Germany, by a deranged fan of rival Steffi Graf.

Though the physical wound eventually healed, Seles faced years of emotional recovery, including depression and an eating disorder. She later returned to the sport and captured the Canadian Open in a triumphant comeback.

Now, she’s showing that same tenacity as she faces this new medical battle.

Seles isn’t just focused on her own health — she’s also using her platform to bring attention to the little-known disease. Hollywood icon Laurence Olivier also battled myasthenia gravis, which affected his speech and performance before his death in 1989.

“Monica has been through so much, but she’s a fighter and will meet this challenge head-on,” a source close to the tennis star said. “She’s hoping against hope that a cure will be found before long.”

For now, Seles continues to speak out and support efforts to raise awareness and fund research.