Serena Williams Sparks Controversy with Super Bowl Weight Loss Drug Promotion
Tennis icon Serena Williams has ignited significant controversy by promoting weight loss drugs during Super Bowl LX, facing substantial backlash from fans and critics alike. The 44-year-old legendary athlete, who holds multiple Grand Slam titles, partnered with telehealth provider Ro to advertise GLP-1 medications in a commercial that aired during America's premier NFL event.
Super Bowl Commercial Details and Fan Reaction
In the advertisement broadcast during the first half of the game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Seahawks, Williams was seen administering the weight loss injection and placing orders through Ro's mobile application. The commercial revealed that the company is developing a new pill-form version of the medication, while Williams detailed her personal health benefits including reduced knee joint stress, stabilized blood sugar levels, and lowered cholesterol.
The promotion has generated substantial criticism across social media platforms, with fans expressing disappointment that Williams chose to endorse pharmaceutical products rather than announce a potential tennis comeback as many had anticipated. One X user described Williams "pushing weight loss drugs" as "disgusting," while another lamented that "the greatest tennis player of all time is on Ozempic." Multiple critics labeled the GLP-1 commercials "absolutely disgusting" and expressed surprise that such promotion occurred during the Super Bowl broadcast.
Williams' Personal Weight Loss Journey
Williams previously disclosed that she turned to GLP-1 medications after struggling to return to her desired weight following the birth of her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023. In an August 2025 interview with People magazine, the athlete explained that despite rigorous training and healthy eating habits, she was unable to achieve her target weight through conventional methods alone.
"I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained," Williams stated. "It was crazy because I'd never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at."
The tennis champion began using the weight loss drug in 2024 after completing breastfeeding for her youngest daughter, ultimately losing over 30 pounds within a single year. Williams emphasized that she had "never taken shortcuts" throughout her professional career and found the experience "very frustrating" before discovering pharmaceutical assistance.
Partnership Details and Additional Controversy
Williams became a sponsor for Ro last year, with her husband Alexis Ohanian serving as both an investor and board member for the telehealth company. This connection has added another layer to the controversy, with critics questioning the appropriateness of such endorsements from sports legends.
In her promotional statements, Williams expressed enthusiasm about her weight loss results, stating: "I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss. I feel great. I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally."
The backlash represents a significant shift in public perception for the retired athlete, who concluded her professional tennis career at the 2022 US Open in New York City. While Williams has previously faced criticism for her weight loss drug admissions, the Super Bowl commercial has amplified the controversy to a national audience, sparking broader conversations about celebrity endorsements of pharmaceutical products and the messaging surrounding body image and health.
