Serena Williams is undeniably a legend in the world of tennis. Her diligent spirit propelled her to incredible heights, including 23 Grand Slam singles titles – making her one of the most decorated players in history. She achieved the remarkable “Serena Slam,” holding all four major titles at once. And with four Olympic gold medals under her belt, this legend certainly needs no introduction. Despite retiring two years ago, Serena remains a hot topic among fans. Her social media posts about her beauty brand and life as a mom keep her connected with followers. While they miss her magic on the court, do they fully appreciate the lengths she went to reach the top?

On October 29th, Andy Roddick chatted with Ron Rocchi, Wilson’s Racket Innovation Manager. They delved into how players like Roger Federer and Serena Williams fine-tune their rackets during the offseason. Rocchi shared an intriguing insight about Serena, saying, “She’s a rare athlete. She could feel even the smallest differences in equipment, but she was also the most open-minded.”

He revealed their tradition, “For most of her career, we had a standing date in December at her house in Florida.” Serena would tell him, “Bring me anything you want me to hit. I’ll try anything and then decide what I’m going to play with next year.” Based on that Rocchi would bring eight to ten different rackets. From which she would try out different equipment till she found the one that fit.

Ron Rocchi also shared his insights on working with Roger Federer and the Swiss star’s unique relationship with his equipment. He noted that Federer is very sensitive to how his racket feels. But still prefered not to delve into the technical details behind it. Instead, he focused on the results, saying, “I need this. Help me get it.” Basically for Federer, it’s all about whether he can feel the difference or not—no deep engineering discussions needed.

But Serena was different – “There were some times at that point in her career that year whatever, she felt she needed more help or more control.” Ron explained, “She would switch rackets and that was really not the norm for a top player.” Now retired, Serena’s journey reflects her vibrant lifestyle and strong personality. While she once took charge of her game by making precise equipment choices, she now fully invests herself in her motherly duties. Balancing her needs while caring for her daughters is a new challenge she has wholeheartedly embraced.

WTA legend opens up about her health journey on Tiktok

Since retiring from professional tennis in 2022, Serena Williams has been busy embracing new challenges. She launched a makeup brand this year. But the legend is always surprising her fans with new insights into her life. Currently, she’s also on a new training journey! Sharing her progress on TikTok with the caption, “I have been on an intense weight, loss journey, and working out like crazy. I wakeup at five to get to the gym and it’s finally starting to pay off.”

In the video, she’s seen trying on a wrap dress. She excitedly noted, “I used to not be able to fit this dress at all.” Showing the neck of the dress that wouldn’t fit right, “I literally couldn’t even close it! Now, not only can I close it. It almost comes too far over. So I’m really excited!” She revealed the reason for the weight loss was that Serena had taken up running. The former champion hoped to take part in marathons! Starting with 5K, followed by a 10K, and eventually a half-marathon. “I’ve been training a lot,” she said.

Her inspiring message to followers was clear, “Keep going! If you’re working out, you can do it too. If I can do it, you can do it—you’re way better than me!” Serena’s progress is particularly impressive considering she recently underwent surgery to remove a cyst the size of a grapefruit from her neck. Initially hesitant to have the mass removed, she ultimately decided it was necessary after doctors advised her due to its potential risks. Now healthy and active, Williams is not just focused on fitness but also on being a dedicated mother while navigating this new chapter of her life.