Serena Williams slammed over Super Bowl advert
Serena Williams says her decision was about health, not headlines. Still, her appearance in a Super Bowl commercial has placed her at the center of a heated public debate.
The retired tennis champion appeared in an advertisement for Ro, a healthcare company that connects patients with physicians who can prescribe GLP-1 weight-loss medications. The commercial aired during one of the most watched television broadcasts of the year and quickly drew criticism, particularly online.
From elite athlete to private health decisions
Williams retired from professional tennis in 2022 after a career that included 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Since then, she has spoken candidly about adjusting to life after elite competition.
Now 44, Williams revealed in August 2025 that she had lost more than 30 pounds. In an interview with People, she said the weight loss followed years of frustration trying to shed weight through exercise and nutrition alone, especially after the births of her children in 2017 and 2023.
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She ultimately sought medical support through Ro. Williams later became a brand ambassador for the company, while her husband, Alexis Ohanian, is an investor and serves on its board.
What the ad showed and why it mattered
The Super Bowl commercial shows Williams administering the medication herself and describing improvements in her energy and mobility. It also announces that Ro plans to introduce an oral version of the drug.
GLP-1 medications, originally developed for diabetes, have become widely used for weight loss in recent years. Their rapid rise has fueled debate over access, long-term use, and the ethics of direct-to-consumer pharmaceutical advertising particularly when promoted by celebrities.
For some viewers, the combination of a globally recognized athlete, a medical injection, and a family-oriented broadcast raised concerns.
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Social media reaction
Shortly after the game, clips of the ad circulated widely on X. Many commenters criticized the decision to show an injection during a broadcast watched by millions of children. Others questioned whether a prominent female athlete should endorse prescription weight-loss drugs at all.
While some posts targeted Williams directly, much of the reaction reflected broader unease about pharmaceutical marketing and body image rather than the specifics of her personal health choices.
Williams explains her choice
Williams has rejected the idea that using medication represented an easy solution. Speaking to People, she said she researched GLP-1 drugs extensively before starting treatment and weighed the potential risks and benefits.
She described losing more than 31 pounds and said the medication reduced joint pain, improved her mobility, and allowed her to stay active. Williams emphasized that the drug supported habits she already maintained, including regular exercise and healthy eating.
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She said she decided to speak publicly because she believes many women particularly those experiencing physical changes later in life may recognize themselves in her experience.
A larger conversation
The backlash surrounding the ad has extended beyond Williams, highlighting unresolved questions about how medical treatments are marketed and how much responsibility public figures carry when endorsing them.
For Williams, the controversy illustrates the challenge of sharing personal health decisions in a public arena especially when that arena is the Super Bowl.
Sources: People, social media posts on X
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