Serena Williams says a weight loss medication has made her healthier than at any point during her historic tennis career.
About a year after starting a GLP-1 receptor agonist, the 44-year-old tennis icon reports significant improvements in her overall health, including lower cholesterol, steadier blood sugar levels, and reduced joint stress. Williams retired from professional tennis in 2022 after 27 years, winning 23 Grand Slam titles and four Olympic gold medals.
Despite dominating the sport, Williams says she struggled for years to lose weight through diet and exercise alone. She also grew increasingly concerned about diabetes and heart disease, which run in her family and disproportionately affect Black Americans.
In August, Williams publicly shared that she began taking a GLP-1 medication and partnered with telehealth company Ro, which prescribes the drugs. Her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor and board member at Ro.
GLP-1 medications, including Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, work by suppressing appetite and regulating blood sugar. Some are approved for diabetes treatment, weight management, and reducing cardiovascular risk.
Williams says she lost about 34 pounds over the past year. She also reports a 30% drop in total cholesterol since 2021 from 185 mg/dL to 129 mg/dL well below the 150 mg/dL level many doctors consider ideal. Experts note that such a large cholesterol reduction is uncommon among GLP-1 users, who typically see closer to a 5% decline.
Williams calls the medication “a lifetime thing,” acknowledging that stopping GLP-1 drugs can lead to weight regain. She adds that reduced weight has eased pressure on her knees, an issue that plagued her throughout her career.
When asked if improved health could lead to a tennis comeback, Williams says she remains open-minded, calling it “not a yes or a no.”
Erizia Rubyjeana
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