Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, has returned to Wimbledon for the first time in four years after a dramatic body transformation that left fans stunned. The 44-year-old tennis legend, who last played competitively at the 2022 US Open, accepted wildcards into both the singles and doubles draws at the All England Club.
Physical Transformation and Weight Loss
Williams unveiled a noticeably slimmer and more sculpted physique in July 2025, a stark contrast to her powerful build during her peak years. In an interview with Vogue, she revealed that she used GLP-1 weight-loss medication through the healthcare company Ro to achieve her desired look. Despite training five hours a day—running, walking, biking, and stair climbing—she struggled to shed weight and decided to try something different. The results are evident: Williams now sports a toned figure with defined abs, as shown in a July Instagram post captioned, “Working out and working on my angles.”
Path to Return
Williams played her last match at the 2022 US Open, losing a three-set battle to Ajla Tomljanovic. She then delivered an emotional farewell at Flushing Meadows. In August 2023, she welcomed her second child, Adira River, with husband Alexis Ohanian. Although she never formally retired, describing her absence as an “evolution,” she resisted a comeback until last year.
In October 2024, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Williams had been reinstated into the drug-testing pool, a requirement for all active players. ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett told The Athletic: “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool. I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she's back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.” At the time, Williams dismissed comeback rumors on social media, posting: “I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Competitive Return
Six months after that denial, Williams announced her return by accepting a wildcard to play doubles at Queen's Club with Victoria Mboko. They won their first match but lost their quarter-final by walkover after their partner withdrew due to a knee injury. She then played doubles with Karolina Muchova at the Berlin Open, losing in the first round. For Wimbledon, she entered the doubles draw with her sister Venus Williams and accepted a wildcard into the singles draw, where she faces Maya Joint in the first round.
Motivation and Mindset
In April 2025, Williams told Time Magazine that she missed playing professionally. “I miss it a lot, with all my heart,” she said. “I miss it because I'm healthy. If I couldn't walk, or if I was so out of it, I wouldn't miss it as much.” Her return to Wimbledon marks a significant moment in her storied career, as she aims to compete at the highest level once again.
