Why Serena Williams Turned to Weight-Loss Jabs to Lose 31 Pounds

RadarOnline.com may reveal a potent mix of personal insecurity and persistent body shaming that prompted Serena Williams to use weight-loss injections to lose 31 pounds, a decision after years of research that left lasting scars on the tennis icon.

The 44-year-old Grand Slam ace, who recently revealed her transformed figure in a new one PORTER photoshoot, first revealed in August, she had switched to a GLP-1 drug after struggling to lose weight following the birth of her second daughter, Adira.

Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, said she only made the choice after months of consultation and medical guidance, and now feels stronger and more comfortable in her body than she has in years.

The PORTER shooting shows Williams at a pool in a striking cut-out swimsuit and modeling a range of daring looks, from a figure-hugging black dress to an oversized ’80s leather jacket.

But behind the confident images lies a more complex reality. Williams has spoken openly about feeling insecure about her body during various chapters of her life, especially postpartum.

She continued writing last year Instagram: “Loving yourself is essential…I find that I have to remind myself of that self-love at all different stages of my life.” Looking back on her figure, she said, “Right now, I love that my body isn’t perfect.”

And as she adjusted to caring for newborn Adira, she said, “I love that I smell like milk — that milk supports @adiraohanian. I’m loving getting to know a new version of my body. It’s a change, but it’s a change that has definitely been worth it. So start this week knowing that you are loved, and that starts with you. Okay, now I’m about to hit the gym. Serena.”

People close to the legendary athlete say the emotional backdrop to her weight loss was more painful than she has publicly acknowledged.

Another source said the internal struggle Williams faced after giving birth was just as important.

“She is one of the greatest athletes of all time, but even she struggled with the feeling that her body wasn’t bouncing back the way she had hoped,” the insider claimed. “That uncertainty was killing her, and eventually she felt she needed extra support.”

A source familiar with Williams’ decision to seek medical help said: “Serena spent decades hearing cruel comments about her being too muscular or too curvaceous, and although she exuded strength, it drained her. The trolling stayed with her longer than people realized.”

The insider claimed: “She wanted to regain control of her body, not because she wanted to fit in, but because the criticism had made her doubt herself.

“It was the combination of her own body insecurities and the impact of trolling about her curves that led her to drastic weight loss measures.”

Williams previously described the hesitation she felt before starting treatment with Ro, the health care company that guided her in selecting a GLP-1 option such as Ozempic or Mounjaro.

The tennis icon explained: “I did a lot of research into it. I thought, ‘Is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What aren’t the benefits?’ “I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it.”

She eventually started the weekly injections after she stopped breastfeeding when Adira was six months old.