‘A very challenging time’ - Monica Seles reveals neuromuscular disease diagnosis

Nine-time grand slam champion Monica Seles has revealed she was diagnosed with a neuromuscular condition three years ago.

The 51-year-old told Good Morning America about her myasthenia gravis (MG) diagnosis in an effort to raise awareness of the condition, which currently has no cure.

"One of the reasons I decided to go public with my myasthenia gravis (is) because it's been a huge reset in my professional life as a tennis player, also in my personal life," she said.

“I would be playing [tennis] with some kids or family members, and I would miss a ball,” said the former World No 1. “I was like, ‘Yeah, I see two balls.’ These are obviously symptoms that you can’t ignore.

“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.”

"I started experiencing these symptoms of extreme leg weakness, arm weakness, double vision. So I realised, 'This is very unusual'.

"Once I was diagnosed, it was like a relief, but also it was a challenge. Even coming here today... in the old days, travelling would be a no-brainer. Now I had to get packing tips. I had to learn a new way to live with MG.

"It's been a very challenging time dealing with it. Knowing that there's hope out there - and a great community - has helped me tremendously."

The Yugoslavia-born American was only 19 when she won her eighth grand slam title in Australia in 1993. Later that year she was stabbed by a spectator during a match in Hamburg, but returned to tennis and won the Australian Open for a fourth time in 1996.

She retired from professional tennis in 2003.

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