Serena Williams has revealed she takes the GLP-1 peptide-based medication Zepbound to control her weight, addressing years of body comments throughout her tennis career. The 43-year-old American tennis legend, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, spoke candidly about her weight management journey.
"I've heard negative comments, along with a huge number of positive ones, about my body my entire life. To be honest, I don't care anymore what people say about my body. But transparency is important to me," Williams explained.
Williams described how her post-pregnancy fitness journey presented unexpected challenges. After giving birth to her daughter Olympia, she struggled to return to her previous athletic form despite maintaining her intense training regimen.
"I was literally on court every day, doing nothing else. I was a super-athlete, always competing and living a super-healthy lifestyle, but I couldn't get back to where I needed to be no matter what I did," she said.
The tennis icon detailed how despite a lifetime dedicated to fitness – including gym sessions, training, running, and dancing – she consistently hit a weight plateau she couldn't break through. This ultimately led her to try GLP-1 medication through a service called Ro.
Interestingly, Williams addressed the stigma surrounding weight control medications, pushing back against critics who label such treatments as options for "lazy people."
"I know for a fact from my own experience that's simply not true. Sometimes you need help. Your story is your story, and it's okay to make this choice if you want to. I did – and I'm very happy," she stated.
Williams also shared insights into her diet, describing herself as a "carb girl" who isn't fond of meat. She gets her protein primarily from beans, particularly black beans and pinto beans.
The mother of two emphasized that her transparency about using weight management medication stems from wanting to maintain honest communication with her daughters. Williams noted that she feels "mentally lighter, sexier, and more confident" since beginning the treatment.
Will Williams' candid discussion help reduce stigma around weight management medications in sports? Her willingness to share this personal journey certainly adds a new dimension to conversations about athletes' bodies and health approaches beyond their active careers.
