Even the greatest athletes in the world face battles off the court. Tennis icon Serena Williams has just revealed that she’s been using Zepbound, a GLP-1 weight loss medication, after struggling to shed pounds naturally following the birth of her second child.
In a candid new interview with Vogue, the 43-year-old legend admitted she had tried everything from HIIT workouts to dance, running, and hours in the gym — but nothing seemed to push her past a stubborn weight plateau.
“My whole life is being in the gym, working out, running, training, HIIT training, dancing, every single thing you can think of,” Williams shared. “I would always get to a certain point on the scale, but I could never get below that. That’s when I decided it was time to try something different and got on the GLP-1 with Ro.”
Turning to a New Chapter
Ro, an online pharmacy platform, provides access to popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. These GLP-1 medications, originally developed to treat type 2 diabetes, have become one of the biggest medical and cultural talking points of the last few years, especially in Hollywood.
Serena says her decision wasn’t about vanity but about honesty and solidarity.
“I felt it was important to be transparent about my weight loss journey,” she explained. “I was putting in the work. I actually think it’s a problem a lot of other women can relate to — you’re in the gym, eating healthy, but just can’t get to the level you want or need to.”
Post-Baby Body Pressures
Williams gave birth to her second daughter in 2023 and has openly discussed how her body — like so many women’s — changed after pregnancy. Despite being one of the most disciplined athletes in the world, she admitted that diet and exercise alone weren’t enough this time.
Her vulnerability on the subject stands out in an era where many celebrities prefer to remain silent about their use of weight loss medications.
Feeling Lighter, Inside and Out
“I feel lighter mentally, I feel sexier, I feel more confident,” Serena told Vogue.
The champ stressed that she hasn’t abandoned healthy eating or training — she’s still in the gym daily. Instead, Zepbound has become a complement to her lifestyle, helping her break through barriers that previously left her feeling stuck.
A Larger Conversation
Serena’s revelation is bound to spark conversation. GLP-1 medications have already been criticized for their high cost, accessibility issues, and the stigma of using medical help to lose weight. But Serena wants to flip the narrative — showing women that it’s okay to need extra support.
Her openness echoes what many doctors say: that weight struggles aren’t always a reflection of effort or discipline, but of biology. And for Serena, a woman whose entire life has been about strength, agility, and discipline, the admission is refreshingly human.
The Takeaway
While Serena Williams will always be remembered as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, her willingness to speak candidly about her post-pregnancy body and her use of weight loss medication may resonate with women even more deeply than a Grand Slam victory.
As she put it best: “I feel lighter mentally, I feel sexier, I feel more confident.”
And that’s a win she’s proud to claim.
