Serena Williams has come under criticism on social media after appearing in a Super Bowl advertisement promoting weight loss medication, with some fans calling the campaign “disappointing” and “inappropriate” given her influence as a global sports icon.
The 44-year-old tennis legend partnered with US-based telehealth company Ro in a commercial that aired around Super Bowl LX, where she discussed her post-retirement health journey and credited GLP-1 medication for her recent weight loss and overall wellness improvements.
Williams, who retired from professional tennis in 2022 after winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles, has previously spoken openly about struggling with weight changes after stepping away from elite sport and following the birth of her second child in 2023.
However, the Super Bowl collaboration triggered backlash online, with critics accusing the former world No.1 of promoting weight loss drugs to a mass audience during one of the world’s most-watched sporting events.
Some fans expressed concern that such advertisements could encourage unhealthy body standards or normalise medical interventions without adequate context.
In the advertisement, Williams highlighted what she described as health benefits, including reduced joint stress, improved blood sugar stability and lower cholesterol levels.
The campaign also revealed that the company plans to introduce a pill-based version of the medication in the future.
While supporters defended Williams’ right to share her personal health experience, others argued that celebrities should exercise caution when endorsing medical products, especially those linked to weight loss.
Williams previously addressed her decision to use medication in an interview last year, explaining that she struggled to return to her desired weight despite maintaining disciplined training routines and a healthy diet.
She said she began the treatment after completing breastfeeding, describing it as a medically guided choice rather than a cosmetic one.
“I worked extremely hard, ate well and still couldn’t reach where I needed to be,” she said at the time, adding that the experience was unlike anything she had faced during her athletic career.
The tennis star is married to tech entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian, and the couple share two daughters, Olympia, aged eight, and Adira, born in August 2023.
The controversy reflects a broader global debate around celebrity endorsements of weight loss treatments, particularly as GLP-1 medications gain popularity beyond clinical settings.
Health experts have repeatedly advised that such treatments should only be used under medical supervision.