Tennis legend Serena Williams has revealed that she has been using a GLP-1 medication to aid her weight loss, disclosing that the drug has helped her shed 31 pounds over the past year.
Speaking in an interview with TODAY, the 23-time Grand Slam champion explained that she turned to the medication after struggling to return to her desired weight following the births of her two daughters. Williams said she initially tried various lifestyle changes, including running, long walks, and even adopting vegan and vegetarian diets, but could not achieve her health goals.
“I was on and off (the medication) and now completely on,” she said. “It was a really good decision I had to make for my life. I tried everything, and nothing seemed to work. After my second child, it just became even harder, so I decided to try something different.”
Williams noted that the treatment has brought significant health benefits, including improved blood sugar levels and relief from joint pain. “I had a lot of knee issues, especially after I had my kids, and I was never able to get back to my normal weight. That definitely had an effect on some wins I could have had in my career,” she reflected.
The 42-year-old star emphasized that, despite public misconceptions, her decision was not about taking shortcuts. “As an athlete and as someone that has done everything, I just couldn’t get my weight to where I needed it to be in a healthy way,” she said. Williams added that she has not experienced any side effects from the drug.