Serena Williams Turns Heads in a Figure-Hugging Dress Amid Impressive Weight Loss

The tennis icon made a dazzling appearance in northern Spain this week, where she received the 2025 Princess of Asturias Award for Sports — but her choice of outfit and dance moves sparked mixed reactions online.

The 43-year-old athlete, Serena Williams, arrived in Asturias for the prestigious event wearing a figure-hugging brown dress that showed off her noticeably slimmer frame.

Warm Welcome with Traditional Music

Williams, who has been open about her health and fitness journey since stepping away from professional tennis, looked radiant as she joined in a welcoming ceremony featuring traditional bagpipe music.

On October 23, Williams shared a carousel of the moment on Instagram, writing, "I never had a welcome like this. I was so humbled. This is the official welcome for the Princess of Asturias Awards for Sports in northern Spain."

The official Fundación Princesa de Asturias page also posted a clip, confirming that bagpipes had sounded in her honor. In the video, Williams can be seen smiling and swaying slightly to the music — a moment that delighted many fans but also drew criticism from some netizens online who felt her gestures were out of place during the formal ceremony.

Netizens Question Dance and Dress Choice

One Instagrammer commented, "I love Serena, but they could have explained to her that this music has nothing to do with belly dancing 😋." Another wrote, "Are you trying to do a sensual dance with bagpipes."

Others criticized her attire and demeanor, with one saying, "not funny, not very polite." "What a lack of respect for the event, for the bagpipers, anyway…" another person added.

Some noted that her clothing choice seemed at odds with the occasion's tone. "The dress and her dance are not for the occasion," one person wrote, while another observed, "Shes so uncomfortable [sic]."

More reactions followed across social media platforms. "A little out of place…" one comment read, while another stated, "She's a great athlete, but her outfit is totally inappropriate for the occasion." On Facebook, the criticism continued, with one netizen writing, "How rude."

Despite the polarized reactions, many fans flooded the comments with admiration for Williams' grace and confidence. Her presence at the event marked another milestone in her post-retirement journey — one that continues to blend athletic achievement with cultural influence.

Williams's radiant appearance in Asturias isn't just the result of style — it reflects a more profound personal transformation. In recent months, the tennis superstar has opened up about the health decision that finally helped her overcome years of postpartum weight struggles, leading to the striking results fans are now noticing.

Williams Opens up About Postpartum Struggles

In an interview with People on August 21, 2025, Serena Williams discussed her struggle to lose weight after becoming a mother and the treatment that finally worked after years of intense training and healthy eating failed to produce results.

Her challenges began after the birth of her first daughter, Alexis Olympia, in 2017. Despite following a strict fitness routine and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, Williams said her body simply didn't respond the way it used to.

"I never was able to get to the weight I needed to be no matter what I did, no matter how much I trained," she recalled. "It was crazy because I'd never been in a place like that in my life where I worked so hard, ate so healthy and could never get down to where I needed to be at [sic]."

For someone who had built a career on hard work and consistency, the lack of progress was particularly discouraging. "I had never taken shortcuts in my career and always worked really hard. I know what it takes to be the best," Williams said.

She also expressed frustration at putting in so much effort without seeing results, an experience that challenged her usual sense of control over her body.

Medical Treatment Offers a New Path

Williams's challenges persisted after the birth of her second daughter, Adira, in 2023. Still committed to a healthy routine, she eventually realized that her usual methods weren't enough.

In early 2024, after she stopped breastfeeding, Williams decided to try a medical approach. She began using a GLP-1 medication prescribed through Ro, a direct-to-patient healthcare company.

GLP-1 — short for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists — is a class of medications that helps regulate appetite by affecting satiety signals in the brain.

The 43-year-old ex-athlete admitted she was initially nervous about starting the medication, especially given the controversy surrounding GLP-1 treatments.

Williams said, "I did a lot of research on it. I was like, 'is this a shortcut? What are the benefits? What are not the benefits?' I really wanted to dive into it before I just did it."

Once she felt confident moving forward, Williams connected with a doctor through Ro and began weekly injections. She found the process straightforward and said the ongoing support made it easy to stay consistent.

Now serving as a celebrity ambassador for the company, she credits the treatment with helping her lose more than 31 pounds. "I lost over 31 pounds using my GLP-1 and I was really excited about that weight loss," she said.

A New Chapter with Renewed Strength

Beyond the physical change, Williams said the treatment improved her mobility. "I just can do more. I'm more active. My joints don't hurt as much. I just feel like something as simple as just getting down is a lot easier for me. And I do it a lot faster," she explained.

She also noted a positive shift in her overall well-being. "I feel great...I feel really good and healthy. I feel light physically and light mentally," she shared.

Body image is also something the former tennis pro takes seriously, especially as a mother to two daughters. She said she has open conversations at home about self-worth.

"With me going through what I've went [sic] through growing up in public and just having millions of people commenting on my body, it's really important to teach them to be confident at any size, just like I try to be," she said.

The former tennis sensation reflected on how looking back at old photos — whether she was thinner or curvier — reminded her of how confident she had felt at the time.

With her health improving, Williams intends to keep using the GLP-1 medication when necessary. She's currently preparing for a half-marathon and staying dedicated to her regular gym sessions, which she considers a key part of her wellness routine.