Serena Williams isn’t just talking about a comeback—she’s talking about a new level of health. The 44-year-old tennis legend told PEOPLE she feels lighter, stronger, and better than she did during her professional career, thanks to GLP-1 medications for weight management.
The drugs, like Ozempic and Mounjaro, act on the brain to regulate appetite, and for Williams, the results have been tangible: a 34-pound weight loss, a 30% drop in cholesterol, and a 70% reduction in her lifetime risk of heart disease.
“I feel healthier. I feel lighter. I feel great. It’s a really good feeling,” Williams said. The improvements have also made her more active than ever—playing tennis, walking, running, even doing Pilates—with the freedom to move naturally without the physical strain she felt on tour.
Williams joked about what might have been: “I always say I wish they had this when I was on tour. I would’ve been really amazing.” Even at her peak as a 23-time Grand Slam champion, she admits she couldn’t have said she felt this fit, this free, this in control. Retirement hasn’t dulled her competitive spirit, but it has allowed her to prioritize her health and be present for her daughters, Alexis Olympia and Adira River.
For Williams, taking GLP-1s wasn’t about chasing fame or shortcuts—it was about living her best life and helping break the stigma surrounding weight-loss medications. “I’ve had a great impact, bigger than I would’ve ever dreamed of,” she said. Fans, men and women alike, are now following her lead, inspired by her honesty and results. Serena isn’t coming back to the tour, but she’s showing everyone what peak health can look like, on her own terms.
Last modified: January 29, 2026
