Roger Federer played at the Australian Open in 2008 not knowing he had mono. At the height of his powers, he surprisingly needed 4.5 hours to beat Janko Tipsarevic in the third round.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Roger Federer played at the Australian Open in 2008 not knowing he had mono. At the height of his powers, he surprisingly needed 4.5 hours to beat Janko Tipsarevic in the third round.
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Federer advanced to the semifinals in Melbourne in 2008 but put in a sluggish performance in the last four, losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. He later revealed he had the illness.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Federer advanced to the semifinals in Melbourne in 2008 but put in a sluggish performance in the last four, losing to eventual champion Novak Djokovic. He later revealed he had the illness.
WILLIAM WEST/AFP/Getty Images
Mario Ancic, a former top-10 player, was suffering from a severe case of mono during a Davis Cup series in 2007. He endured a lengthy layoff before returning to the tour but was never the same. He retired in 2011.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Mario Ancic, a former top-10 player, was suffering from a severe case of mono during a Davis Cup series in 2007. He endured a lengthy layoff before returning to the tour but was never the same. He retired in 2011.
TORSTEN SILZ/AFP/Getty Images
Robin Soderling handed Rafael Nadal his only loss at the French Open in 2009. But Soderling hasn't played since the summer of 2011. Now a father, he says he has come to terms with the possibility of never playing again.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Robin Soderling handed Rafael Nadal his only loss at the French Open in 2009. But Soderling hasn't played since the summer of 2011. Now a father, he says he has come to terms with the possibility of never playing again.
CYRILLE CADET/AFP/Getty Images
Andy Roddick, who was one of tennis' fittest players, couldn't understand why he was feeling fatigued in the summer of 2010. He played through the pain and was upset at Wimbledon.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Andy Roddick, who was one of tennis' fittest players, couldn't understand why he was feeling fatigued in the summer of 2010. He played through the pain and was upset at Wimbledon.
Christina McHale, one of US tennis' brightest prospects, didn't play the end of the 2012 season. Symptoms that included sinus issues and a stomach illness stemmed from mono.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Christina McHale, one of US tennis' brightest prospects, didn't play the end of the 2012 season. Symptoms that included sinus issues and a stomach illness stemmed from mono.
ANDREAS SOLARO/AFP/Getty Images
Heather Watson thought she was suffering from burnout in the spring. But it turned out to be mono. The promising British player has yet to return to the circuit, but hopes to play at the French Open.
An elite group struck down by mono —
Heather Watson thought she was suffering from burnout in the spring. But it turned out to be mono. The promising British player has yet to return to the circuit, but hopes to play at the French Open.
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