Serena Williams was more than just a tennis star with 23 Grand Slams and 73 titles. The American icon inspired every girl chasing dreams of becoming a professional athlete. On one hand, Williams hasn’t played a professional match since 2022. But the legend continues to shine in the spotlight with her business ventures and candid advice as a mom of two. She’s equally open with her 18.2 million Instagram followers, sharing glimpses of her highs and lows.
On September 16, she shared a raw message about a tough stretch. “Dearest gentle reader, My summer started out well but I was plunged into a difficult August. Like many of you, I faced challenges that tested my spirit and resilience,” she wrote, posing in a stunning pink dress in front of a grand bookshelf. The post perfectly captured the vibes of ‘Lady Whistledown,’ whom she playfully imitated in her caption.
She didn’t say what weighed heavily on her but added, “Life can sometimes feel overwhelming and it’s easy to lose sight of what truly matters—your mental health and well-being. I took some time away to breathe, to reconnect with myself, and to remember that it’s perfectly okay to pause and reconnect. Even if it’s just a quiet night to yourself. Anything counts.”
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So what could she be talking about? Nobody knows yet. She’s been nonstop this year, appearing at the Super Bowl halftime show, juggling businesses, and promoting on the global stage. Some wonder if it ties to her husband Alexis Ohanian or her recent People Magazine reveal about using a GLP-1 medication to lose 31 pounds. The cause, though, stays unclear.
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She ended her post saying, “I’ve learned that the end of a matter is better than its beginning. And even though things haven’t reached their end yet, I’m also learning to let go and live life one moment at a time. The only thing I’m dealing with in this moment here is how good this dress looks against first editions. How was your summer?”
Serena’s summer 2025 was packed. She celebrated her weight loss with GLP-1 medication. She enjoyed a luxury yacht trip and showed off her toned physique on social media. She was named a keynote speaker for the Zeta Live 2025 conference. She also launched the podcast “Stockton Street” with her sister Venus.
Earlier in the year, Serena received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports, honoring her legendary career and powerful advocacy. While she no longer competes on the court, she still shares what keeps her going—continuing to inspire!
Serena Williams opens up about the thoughts she had as a pro
Earlier today, Serena and Venus dropped a new clip on X Originals, giving fans a peek into their two decades on tour. The sisters talked about what it takes to be a champion, and Serena was floored by Venus’s words. The 45-year-old nailed it when she said: “In sport, to be a champion, you have to have brutal honesty. If you’re not honest with yourself and completely open, you cannot hide from yourself. You can’t pretend, you can’t shut that part off.” Serena, with 23 Slams to her name, couldn’t have agreed more.
Serena then took it a step further, opening up about the harsh talks she once had with herself. “‘You were too big, and you needed to be lighter, and you needed to have an opportunity to run faster,’” she recalled. “I mean, those were the talks I had to have with myself later. But you have to be honest with yourself, right? If you can’t, no one else can.”
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It’s not surprising that Serena’s been a loud and proud voice for body positivity. She’s fought back when critics called her “manly,” “too muscly,” or not “feminine” enough. To her, her strong build was always her weapon. Speaking to Time Magazine in 2016, she admitted, “I know I get flack for my physique, and it has been a struggle to love my body, but now curves are in and I’m happier [with] myself. Women face so many impossible ideals. It’s important for me to get across that there’s more than one way to look amazing.”
Motherhood only made her message louder. After welcoming her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023, she began candidly sharing her postpartum fitness journey. She even lit up talking about her daughter having the same strong arms and legs, using it to champion confidence and strength. However, now with her cryptic Instagram post, who knows what’s next?