Serena Williams is opening up about her weight-loss journey, saying she turned to GLP-1 medications after struggling to shed pounds following the birth of her two daughters.
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Williams, 43, revealed on NBC's Today show that she has lost 31 pounds in eight months using the drug, which is produced by Ro, a company for which she serves as a paid spokesperson. She said the decision came after exhausting traditional methods.
"I literally tried everything. Running, walking, biking, stairclimber, you name it, I did it," Williams said. "Even now trying to play a professional sport, it was something I felt like, 'OK, I don't want to do this because it is a shortcut or a quick way out.' But it actually isn't. My body was missing something after having two kids, and I wasn't able to be at a weight that was healthy for me."
GLP-1s, which include the widely known drug Ozempic, mimic a hormone that helps regulate blood sugar, slows digestion, and makes people feel fuller. Williams said she initially resisted the idea, but eventually saw enough friends have success that she decided to try it herself.
"I looked at it like a sport," she explained. "As an opponent, like I can beat this opponent no matter what I do. I tried something different, it didn't work. Eventually, I saw my friends using it, I saw a lot of people on it, and I tried it — and it actually worked."
Williams said she also wanted to help erase the stigma around people using GLP-1s. "A lot of people are on it and don't talk about it," she said. "Why are we questioning it? We should just talk about it and be open. I've been open most of my life, and there's no need to deny it. I love how I'm feeling now."
The conversation comes just days before the start of the U.S. Open, a tournament Williams won six times. While she admits she still misses tennis, she said she finds peace in the memories of her career.
"I had so many wonderful moments on the court," Williams said. "That will always stay with me."
