Serena Williams turned heads on Thursday night as she attended a glamorous US Open kickoff party in Manhattan, hosted by DraftKings and hospitality mogul David Grutman. The 23-time Grand Slam champion joined fellow tennis stars for the event, held at Crane Club just days before the tournament begins.
Williams, who retired in 2022 after her emotional final match against Ajla Tomljanovic, arrived in a chic white halter top and form-fitting skirt. She mingled with guests including Aryna Sabalenka, Ben Shelton, Taylor Fritz, Juan Martin del Potro, and Nick Kyrgios, while enjoying a menu created by Michelin-starred chef Melissa Rodriguez. Sabalenka also unveiled her new Boardroom magazine cover at the party, with co-founder Rich Kleiman in attendance.
The evening came shortly after Williams revealed details of her dramatic 31-pound weight loss over the past year. While fans speculated she had used the widely known drug Ozempic, she clarified that her progress came through Zepbound, another GLP-1 medication. Williams explained that the treatment, recommended through health company Ro, helped her overcome years of post-pregnancy struggles with weight fluctuations.
Despite the stigma around weight loss drugs, Williams emphasized that her motivation was never about appearance. “I’ve always felt comfortable at any size,” she said, noting that her extra weight caused joint pain and discomfort after having children. Now feeling “light physically and mentally,” she is enjoying life beyond tennis while continuing to inspire fans. Meanwhile, her sister Venus, 45, remains active on the court and is set to compete in both singles and mixed doubles at this year’s US Open.
