Serena Williams has revealed that she underwent surgery to remove a benign branchial cyst from her neck, describing the mass as “the size of a small grapefruit.” The tennis icon initially discovered the lump in May and, after multiple tests and a biopsy that confirmed it was non-cancerous, she decided to proceed with surgery when the cyst continued to grow.
In a candid social media post, the 23-time Grand Slam champion shared a video of herself in a hospital bed and expressed gratitude for her health, noting, “I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy.”
Now 43 and retired from professional tennis since 2022, Williams stated that her recovery is progressing well. While she continues to heal, her focus remains on prioritizing her health and well-being.
Williams retired from tennis last year, famously referring to the transition as “evolving” away from the sport. Her legendary career includes 23 Grand Slam singles titles—more than any woman in the Open Era—and over 300 weeks at the top of the WTA rankings. She also won 14 major doubles titles with her sister Venus and four Olympic gold medals.
Despite her retirement, Williams’ continued public presence and health updates highlight her enduring influence both on and off the court. Fans continue to support her as she navigates this next phase of life, with health as her top priority.