Serena Williams promotes a weight loss injection at the Super Bowl.Image: keystone
Serena Williams makes no secret of the fact that she resorts to weight loss injections. However, the fact that she is now promoting this at the Super Bowl goes too far for many people.
Feb 9, 2026, 6:25 p.mFeb 9, 2026, 6:25 p.m
Jennifer Ullrich / watson.de
Serena Williams was the symbol of physical strength, discipline and sporting dominance for over two decades. The reaction was all the more violent when the tennis icon attracted attention at the Super Bowl 2026 not with a sporting message, but with a controversial advertising appearance.
A commercial about weight-loss medications sparked criticism from many fans, especially since the clip reached an audience of millions on Sunday night.
Serena Williams surprises with Super Bowl advertising
The 44-year-old former professional player appeared in a commercial for telemedicine provider Ro that aired during the Super Bowl. In it, Serena Williams promotes so-called GLP-1 drugs for weight loss.
In the advertisement you can see how she uses the product and talks about its health effects. According to her own statements, she not only lost weight, but also stabilized her blood sugar levels, reduced the strain on her knees and lowered her cholesterol levels.
Williams had previously made it public that she resorted to the medication after the end of her active career and after the birth of her second child. In August 2025, she explained to the magazine Peopledespite training and a healthy diet, she no longer achieved her desired weight.
It wasn’t until 2024, after her daughter Adira River Ohanian was weaned, that she started taking it and lost around 14 kilograms within a year.
Fans criticize Serena Williams
Despite this personal declaration, the Super Bowl appearance was met with rejection by many. At X, the advertising was sharply criticized.
One user described it as “shameful” that she, of all people, was promoting weight loss injections. Elsewhere it was read:
«Serena Williams, the greatest tennis player of all time, is on Ozempic. We’re finished.”
Serena Williams officially ended her tennis career at the US Open 2022. She holds a total of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and is considered one of the most influential figures in world sport.
This is precisely why many fans find the advertising deal to be contradictory to the image that Williams has embodied for years.
In addition, her husband Alexis Ohanian is an investor in Ro and sits on the company’s board – a circumstance that further fuels the debate.