Serena Williams is opening up about the method behind her recent weight-loss success as the tennis legend reveals how she dropped the pounds after carrying and birthing her latest daughter.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner explained that she has been using a GLP-1 medication, which has helped her lose more than 31 pounds to drop back down to a size she feels comfortable at.
GLP-1, or glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, act on the brain to influence feelings of satiety, for example, the more widely known brands include Ozempic and Mounjaro.
“I feel great,” Williams said to PEOPLE. “I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally.
“I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained.
“It was crazy because I’d never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at.
“I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best.
“So it was very frustrating to do all the same things and never be able to change that number on the scale or the way my body looked.”
The former professional athlete says her challenges with weight began after the birth of her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017 despite her intense efforts to get back into shape.
She then experienced similar difficulties after her second daughter, Adira River, was born in August 2023 as she lost a significant amount of weight in the first two weeks but then hit a plateau.
Recognizing her expertise in maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Williams sought additional support and turned to Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare company, to begin a GLP-1 program.
Serena acknowledged that she was initially apprehensive about the treatment due to ongoing public debate over GLP-1 medications and made sure she did her background research as she consulted with a doctor through Ro.
Feeling confident enough, she started weekly injections roughly six months after Adira’s birth, once she had stopped breastfeeding in early 2024 and describes the results as transformative.
“I just can do more. I’m more active,” Serena continued. “My joints don’t hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me.
“And I do it a lot faster. I feel like I have a lot of energy and it’s great. I just feel pretty good about it.”
Jannik Sinner wanted to play tennis with Serena Williams
During the recent US Open, it was revealed that rising star Jannik Sinner had expressed interest in partnering with Serena Williams in the mixed doubles event. US Open Senior Director of Player Relations Eric Butorac.
However, due to illness sustained in Cincinnati, Sinner had to withdraw, and Williams remained retired, leaving the dream match-up pairing unrealized between the GOAT of women’s tennis and the current Wimbledon champion.
Butorac, speaking to the Nothing Major Show, also noted that while other tennis legends like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal did not reach out, Sinner specifically sought Williams, highlighting her enduring appeal and reputation on the court.
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