Serena Williams has shared a rare, candid glimpse into her health journey, a week after deflecting questions about a possible return to professional tennis.
The 44-year-old tennis champion posted an unfiltered image of herself brushing her teeth in a bathroom mirror, wearing underwear and a grey singlet, a change from the more polished images she typically shares publicly.
The post follows Williams’ announcement in August 2025 that she had lost more than 14 kilograms, and comes amid heightened public interest in her health and future plans.
It is one of the few times Williams has shared a candid photo without a styled or glamorous appearance, after reports she has partnered with a telehealth company as part of a commercial promotion.
Williams has found herself at the centre of renewed speculation in recent weeks after declining to confirm whether she plans to return to professional tennis.
It has been more than three years since she retired, but questions resurfaced in October 2025 after reports emerged that she had “re-entered anti-doping drug-testing programs”.
The tennis anti-doping body, the International Tennis Integrity Agency, has since confirmed Williams is registered for drug testing.
Despite the confirmation, Williams avoided giving a clear answer when asked about a comeback during an appearance on The Today Show in the United States last week.
When host Savannah Guthrie asked whether she was returning to tennis, Williams replied: “Really? Are you asking me that on the Today show? Oh, my gosh. Really?”
When Guthrie followed up with, “Is that a no?” Williams echoed the question back.
“People on the set are laughing. This is distracting. … I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now. … That’s not a yes or a no. I don’t know. I’m just gonna see what happens,” Williams said.
When Guthrie suggested that sounded like “a maybe”, Williams responded: “That’s not a maybe. Listen, I have two kids. I’m a full-time stay-at-home mum. When I filled out a form the other day for occupation, (I wrote) ‘Housewife.’”
The interview returned to Williams’ decision to re-enter the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s testing pool.
“Did I? I don’t know if I was out,” Williams replied, before saying she could not “discuss this” topic further.
Williams has also remained non-committal about speculation she may announce a return during an upcoming appearance at the Super Bowl.
Her appearance at the event coincides with the telehealth company she is promoting purchasing an advertising slot during NBC’s broadcast of the game between the New England Patriots and Seattle Sea Hawks.
Williams appeared at last year’s Super Bowl when she joined rapper Kendrick Lamar on stage during the half-time show of Super Bowl LIX.
Image: Instagram
