Holger Rune came to the defense of tennis legend Serena Williams after she faced criticism over her ad for GLP-1 provider Ro. The Dane praised Williams for being open and informing the public about what she did to achieve a personal goal.
The ad aired during Super Bowl 60 on Sunday. In the ad, Williams revealed that she had been using it and claimed that it had helped her lose weight and become healthier. Some have criticized Williams for promoting weight loss drugs.
Holger Rune Defends Serena Williams’ GLP-1 Weight Loss Ad
A tennis fan shared criticism of Williams’ ad on X on Sunday, prompting a response from Rune. The 22-year-old also responded to other comments under the post in support of Williams, speaking on the importance of a healthy lifestyle and trusting the doctors who prescribe the medication.
Being overweight comes with a health risk , like alcohol and seeking help to overcome personal challenges is always the right thing to do. I think it’s great that @serenawilliams don’t pretend it just happened overnight , but openly inform about what she did to achieve her…
— Holger Rune (@holgerrune2003) February 9, 2026
“Being overweight comes with a health risk, like alcohol, and seeking help to overcome personal challenges is always the right thing to do. I think it’s great that Serena Williams [didn’t] pretend it just happened overnight, but openly inform about what she did to achieve her personal goals in terms of her body,” he wrote.
“There is not one right or wrong way here; there is only the way that is good for you and we should not shame on this,” Rune added.
Williams had previously spoken in August 2025Â about using a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, adding that it helped her feel “good and healthy”.
Could Serena Williams Follow in Her Sister’s Footsteps and Make Tennis Comeback?
There has been speculation that the younger Williams sister may follow in her sister, Venus’s, footsteps and make a spectacular return to professional tennis. The 44-year-old called time on her playing career in 2022.
Williams’ name recently appeared in the tennis anti-doping test pool, raising the possibility of her comeback. When asked about re-entering the anti-doping test pool on the “TODAY” show last month, Williams was coy about the possibility of a return to tennis.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” she said, adding, “I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.”
American tennis player Alycia Parks also recently revealed that she had been practicing with Williams and told Tennis Majors that she would perform well if she returned to the WTA Tour.
Before retiring, Williams won 23 Grand Slam singles titles as well as 16 Major doubles titles. She also remains the only player in history to achieve the career Golden Slam in both singles and doubles.
