Tennis champion Serena Williams has joined direct-to-patient healthcare company Ro as a celebrity patient ambassador for GLP-1 weight loss medications. The 23-time Grand Slam winner will lead a multi-year campaign to normalize the use of GLP-1 treatments for weight management.
Williams disclosed that she turned to Ro for GLP-1 treatment after experiencing postpartum body changes that didn’t respond to traditional diet and exercise approaches. The partnership aims to reduce stigma around weight loss medications and promote open conversations about their role in healthcare.
“I trained at the highest level, ate a clean diet, pushed myself, and still, after having kids, my body just wouldn’t respond,” said Williams. “I realized it wasn’t about willpower; it was biological. My body needed the GLP-1 and clinical support.”
The campaign will span digital, broadcast, and out-of-home marketing, highlighting Williams’ personal experience with GLP-1 treatment through Ro’s platform. Williams emphasized that seeking medical support for weight management represents healthcare rather than a shortcut.
Williams joins NBA legend Charles Barkley, who became Ro’s GLP-1 celebrity patient ambassador in April. The partnerships represent Ro’s strategy to expand access to GLP-1 treatments through education and stigma reduction, particularly around postpartum weight management challenges.
“By opening up about her own health, Serena is opening doors for millions of people who have felt shamed for needing support to lose weight,” said Zach Reitano, co-founder and CEO of Ro. “She’s redefining what it means to be strong, once again, by setting the example that strength can also mean seeking and using medication to take control of your health.”
Ro provides GLP-1 access through online doctor visits, personalized treatment plans, insurance coordination, and ongoing support. The company positions weight management as preventative healthcare and has served millions of patients across the United States since 2017. Williams disclosed that her husband is an investor in Ro and serves on the company’s board.
