When Serena Williams returned to competitive action in June following a four-year hiatus, she brought the GLP-1 debate with her. During her time off the court, the 23-time Grand Slam champion was busy expanding her business portfolio, signing major endorsement deals.
One of those included a multi-year partnership with Ro, a digital health platform that offers GLP-1 drugs for weight loss. Last year, Williams shared her experience with Zepbound, which helped her lose 34 pounds and improve her overall health. The 44-year-old had outlined the reason behind using Zepbound and revealed that she wanted to address the stigma around GLP-1 drugs.
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However, GLP-1 drugs have been at the centre of the storm. Several reports have indicated that law firms like TruLaw and CohenMalad, LLP are accepting claims for Ozempic and GLP-1 drugs, involving “gastroparesis and vision loss.”
Along with this, Sky Sports reported that more than 200 deaths are suspected to be linked to the use of weight-loss jabs. As thousands of lawsuits mount, fans have targeted Williams for endorsing the drug.
“MJ ME TOO! WHEN I SAW SERENA WILLIAMS BEGIN PROMOTING THIS I SAID SOMETHING IS UP! AND ITS NOT GOOD!” a user wrote on X.
“I’ve also forecasted that the negative health impact of these massively marketed GLP-1 drugs will undoubtedly be catastrophic. Seeing @serenawilliams become a @ro spokesperson hawking GLP-1 drugs in 2025 was highly disappointing. I hope she reconsiders her support. Companies like @start_willow aggressively target non-obese young girls/women as well. Steer friends & family away from all the magic beans, ” a user explained.
“Very sad and scary news about weight loss jabs coming in today. A reminder Serena Williams has been promoting weight loss jabs, and Andy Roddick saying it was wise to use them to lose weight fast on his Served with Andy Roddick Podcast. I am keeping all the receipts,” a user remarked.
“Serena Williams was promoting GLP1 weight loss jabs at the Superbowl which is one of the most viewed events in the world. Reports released today state that hundreds of deaths are being linked to weight loss jabs. Should Serena be promoting these jabs?” the user questioned on X.
Serena Williams set to return to Cincinnati Masters after four years
On the tennis front, Serena Williams is set to reunite with her sister Venus on the court for the first time in four years at the Cincinnati Open, scheduled to commence on August 11. The Masters 1000 event confirmed that the Williams Sisters, one of the most prolific women’s pairs, have received a women’s doubles wildcard.
Fans had been expecting Williams’ return to action since she tweaked her knee during her singles fixture against Maya Joint at Wimbledon. During her first singles appearance in London in four years, Williams pushed Joint to the third set but succumbed to a 3-6, 7-6(6), 3-6 defeat.
While turning back the clock in front of a jam-packed crowd, Serena Williams tweaked her knee late in the first set. She was scheduled to compete with Venus in the women’s doubles event but failed to recover in time and missed out on the opportunity. With her sister on her side, Williams will hope to enjoy an extended run in Cincinnati.
Edited by Shyam Kamal