Former US tennis star Andy Roddick has defended Serena Williams following criticism over her endorsement of a weight-loss drug, as speculation continues to swirl about a potential return to professional tennis in 2026.
In August 2025, Serena Williams disclosed in an interview with People magazine that she had been using GLP-1 medication to support her weight-loss journey. Additionally, she appeared in an advert promoting the weight-loss medication, aired during Super Bowl 60.
Andy Roddick Defends Serena Williams’ Weight Loss Drug Decision Amid Comeback Rumors
Williams had previously shared that she experienced significant weight gain during her second pregnancy, which prompted her to explore GLP-1 medication. However, she clarified that her decision was not driven by appearance, stressing that it was about overall well-being rather than “how she looked.”
Even at the time, her decision to promote a weight-loss drug sparked backlash, with actress Jameela Jamil arguing that Williams’ platform and access to elite medical care placed her in a far more privileged position than the average consumer, particularly when it comes to managing side effects.
Questions intensified when it emerged that Williams had enrolled in a six-month out-of-competition drug-testing program, a mandatory requirement for any retired player aiming to return to the WTA Tour. Following completion of that process, she has now been officially cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) and is eligible to compete again from Feb. 22.
Amid growing scrutiny over her decision, former US Open champion Andy Roddick firmly backed Williams on his podcast.
“I can tell you something that I think I know for a fact, right? I’m not Serena. I can’t play anymore. I stink. And If I decided that I wanted to come back, guess what I would be doing immediately? Immediately, I’d be dropping 20 pounds as fast as I can. I would be taking those drugs because you know what becomes easier when you are 20 pounds lighter? Actually getting back to the training that you need without getting injured to get back on tour. So they are like “Oh, it doesn’t enhance performance,” he said.
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The former American player explained that losing weight before resuming intense training could shorten the comeback timeline and reduce injury risk. Starting lighter puts less strain on the body, making injuries less likely during preparation,
“What it does is shortens the timeline for training and mitigates a lot of the risk in because the thing with getting back is like you get injured training, injured training, injured training, you can’t get back. Right,” he said.
“If you start training from a place of 25 pounds less, guess what’s less likely to happen? Getting hurt. So, it’s not on the day. It’s like if I was going to do it, I would absolutely do it and try to drop as much before I committed back to the training process,” he added.
In addition to Roddick, rising Danish star Holger Rune also came to Williams’ defense, emphasizing the importance of maintaining a healthy lifestyle and trusting the medical professionals who recommend such treatments.