Serena Williams’ latest appearance has stirred more conversation than a Grand Slam final. The former world number one was photographed standing in clear blue waters during a beach outing, wearing a bright yellow bikini, dark sunglasses, and a green bandana. At 43, her photographs radiated confidence and immediately drew notice across social platforms.
The striking images arrive at a time when Williams has chosen to speak candidly about her physical transformation. Following the birth of her two daughters with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, she endured an extended struggle with weight retention. Despite rigorous training and careful nutrition, she found herself unable to return to her desired condition. “I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be, no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained,” she explained.
Serena Williams shares weight loss journey, confidence shines in bikini
Williams revealed that she eventually turned to a GLP-1 medication, commonly prescribed for diabetes management, to assist her efforts. These drugs, administered through weekly injections, are designed to regulate appetite. The decision, she emphasized, followed a period of considerable research. “I was like, ‘Is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?’ I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it,” she said. Since beginning the treatment, she has lost more than 30 pounds and says the change has given her renewed vitality.
The difference, she noted, is not merely aesthetic. “I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally,” Williams said. She added that her joints no longer ache as they once did and that everyday tasks have become easier. “I just can do more. I’m more active. My joints don’t hurt as much… I feel like I have a lot of energy, and it’s great. I just feel pretty good about it.”
Serena Williams says weight loss drug helped her lose 31 pounds: 'You should love yourself' https://t.co/Evz7QJQmY9
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For an athlete whose career was defined by endurance and discipline, the transition carried a degree of frustration. “I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best,” she remarked, recalling her long effort to achieve progress without assistance. That persistence produced 23 Grand Slam singles titles across nearly three decades, achievements that established her among the most accomplished figures in sport.
Yet Williams has also been forthright about the need for self-acceptance. Earlier this year she reflected on how childbirth reshaped her view of her body. “Loving yourself is essential,” she wrote on Instagram. “Right now, I love that my body is not picture perfect…I love getting to know a new version of my body.” For Williams, the present moment is less about appearance than about strength, comfort, and a readiness to embrace new stages of life with assurance.
