Kamal Ghorui
Serena Williams is once again at the center of a big public debate, but this time, it has nothing to do with tennis. The American legend faced strong criticism after appearing in a 2026 Super Bowl advertisement where she spoke openly about her recent weight loss. The ad promoted Ro, a telehealth company, and showed Williams sharing that she lost around 15 kilos with the help of a GLP-1 prescription weight-loss drug.The reaction online was fast and divided. While some praised her honesty, many social media users accused Williams of promoting something they believe could be risky. Critics pointed to possible side effects of GLP-1 medications and questioned whether a global sports icon should be part of such an ad. The debate quickly spread on X, with thousands weighing in. As the criticism grew louder, an unexpected voice stepped in to support Williams. Holger Rune, the former ATP World No. 4, publicly defended her decision. His response added a new layer to the conversation and shifted attention from criticism to personal choice and medical guidance.
Holger Rune explains why he supports Serena Williams’ decision
One X user strongly criticized Serena Williams, writing:“One of the greatest athletes in the world is shamelessly now promoting weight loss drugs? I fear truly saddened by this, nobody should be encouraging people to take weight loss drugs, but especially a role model and icon of sport. I fear for the future.”Rune replied directly and stood firm in his support. He explained that Williams was not hiding anything or promising quick results. Instead, she was open about her journey. Rune wrote:“Being overweight comes with a health risk, like alcohol and seeking help to overcome personal challenges is always the right thing to do. I think it’s great that @serenawilliams don’t pretend it just happened overnight, but openly inform about what she did to achieve her personal goals in terms of her body. There is not one right or wrong way here, there is only the way that is good for you and we should not shame on this.”The same user pushed back, saying young people might take the wrong message from the ad. They warned that teens could see injections as a shortcut instead of eating well and staying active.Holger Rune answered again, focusing on medical control and responsibility. He wrote:“It’s not something you buy on a pharmacy. It needs a doctor’s prescription. So it’s the doctors that evaluate if you are suited for this or not. We must have trust in the doctors, no?”Serena Williams has spoken in the past about her struggles with weight, especially after her second pregnancy with daughter Adira, whom she shares with husband Alexis Ohanian. As of now, she has not responded directly to the criticism. Meanwhile, Rune is recovering from surgery after rupturing his right Achilles tendon at the 2025 Stockholm Open, according to ATP updates.
