Serena Williams has spoken candidly about the physical and personal transformations she’s faced since retiring from professional tennis in 2022. Now a mother of two, the 23-time Grand Slam champion has admitted that stepping away from competition forced her to confront long-overlooked health issues, rebuild her daily routines, and rediscover who she is beyond the court.
In recent months, Williams has opened up about this transition across TV appearances and magazine profiles while promoting her growing business and lifestyle ventures. She has emphasized that this new chapter isn’t about slowing down, but about redefining herself outside the rigid structure of elite athletics and taking control of her well-being in a way she never could during her playing career.
Serena Williams on Losing Her Routine and Reclaiming It
Reflecting on the early days of the COVID lockdowns, Williams opened up about the emotional toll of becoming a new mother just months before the world shut down. Speaking to E! News, she explained how dramatically her discipline slipped during that period. “I felt the least motivated I ever have,” she said, describing how isolation derailed her routines and sense of direction.
Her motivation returned once she committed to a structured program, joining Openfit’s 4 Weeks of Focus with trainer Kelsey Heenan. Williams said rebuilding her fitness through consistent morning strength and cardio sessions helped her regain control. The results even shocked her. “I’ve been active my entire life. I have never lifted a 40-pound weight, lifted a 50-pound.”
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Beyond the physical changes, Williams also opened up about the emotional side of retirement and how leaving tennis pushed her to rethink what success means. In a separate interview reflecting on this new stage of her life, she admitted that her most important work now is happening within. “I’m discovering me again,” she said, explaining that she’s learning to understand herself outside the roles of champion and mother.
Serena Williams Opens Up About Health, Motherhood, and Redefining Herself Beyond Tennis
In an interview with People, Serena Williams revealed that her doctors had told her she was pre-diabetic, a wake-up call that completely shifted how she approached her health. She said the warning finally pushed her to take her body seriously again.
She admitted, “I dropped weight because I’ve been listening to my doctor—a couple of years, I didn’t,” noting that she had ignored medical advice for far too long.
Discussing her eating habits, Williams kept things lighthearted, sharing her love for protein-heavy meals. “I’m a Texas girl, so I like meat—sorry, vegetarians in the world!” she joked. She also told the media outlet that living in different cities has sparked a new interest in recovery and wellness trends.
“Walking in the city is quite the workout,” she said of her time in New York. “And I’m really into infrared saunas right now. And I just got a cold plunge because everybody wore me down.”
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During a May 2024 appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show, Williams also addressed rumors about her weight loss and made it clear she wasn’t taking Ozempic. “My doctor chased me for like two years, and I was like, ‘No, I’m afraid of it. I already have thyroid problems,” she explained. She shut down speculation directly, adding, “Everybody thinks it’s Ozempic. It’s not.”
The tennis legend further clarified that she was using a different medication designed to help regulate blood sugar levels. “Something that aids in helping break down the sugar—obviously, my body doesn’t do it right.”
