Serena Williams says she feels “healthier” now than she did during her playing career after using a GLP-1 weight-loss medication through telehealth company Ro.

In an exclusive interview, Williams told People she’s lost roughly 34 pounds since starting the drug, which she says helped lower her cholesterol and reduced her lifetime relative risk of heart disease. 

The 44-year-old joked that if GLP-1s had existed during her pro career, “I would've been really amazing,” but stressed she has no plans to return to professional tennis. Williams said her decision was health-centered, rather than performance-driven, saying the medication helped her feel lighter, more active, and able to play recreationally with joy. 

Williams is also partnering with Ro for its “Healthier on Ro” campaign and is slated to appear in a Super Bowl ad tied to that effort, using her platform to normalize conversations about weight-loss medications and overall wellness. She told People she wants to be around for her daughters and that sharing her experience has encouraged others to seek medical guidance rather than shame. 

GLP-1 receptor medications, often prescribed for diabetes and increasingly used for weight loss, have prompted public debate over access, side effects, and celebrity influence in medicine. Williams’ openness is likely to drive more interest, but medical experts routinely urge patients to consult clinicians for individualized advice and not rely on headline anecdotes.