Serena Williams has proven she’s a master of many trades since stepping off the tennis court. From launching her beauty brand, WYN Beauty, to embracing motherhood with her two daughters, she continues to shine in unique ways. However, health challenges have emerged as she adjusts to life after 27 years in professional sports.

Despite the physical demands of tennis leading to injuries, it seems Williams’ body is catching up with her. Recently, she posted a TikTok video about participating in a play with Olympia and her husband, Alexis Ohanian. In the video, they rehearsed together—Williams sporting a striking blonde look and heavy stage makeup while Ohanian donned a bright red suit. She humorously captioned it, “YESS!! We are those parents who volunteer for our child’s rehearsal lol. Judge away lol.”

However, shortly after this fun moment, she shared an update about experiencing shoulder pain. While receiving physiotherapy for her arm, she explained, “I had started experiencing this like weird pain in my shoulder and down my side; I couldn’t lift my arm.” This pain began two weeks prior and affected her movements during rehearsals with Alexis. She described the discomfort during practice: “I had this crazy pain in my arm every time I had to go in for a turn… Alexis would turn me and I’m like ahhh, this is killing me.” Following this revelation, she consulted her doctor and began treatment.

Williams showed a relatable side when discussing her injury’s root cause. “I started googling it and I went on ChatGPT; I even saw videos on YouTube,” she said. Ultimately, she discovered that the pain was neuropathic—a type of nerve pain often linked to high-level athletes like herself, which Serena referred to as the “nerves are severed” All those years of competing at the highest level have taken their toll.

She has faced shoulder issues before. Back in 2016, an injury sidelined her at the Cincinnati Open. At that time, she expressed her frustration: “My shoulder inflammation continues to be a challenge, but I am anxious to return to the court as soon as possible.” This recent pain could be a recurrence of that earlier injury. For now, Williams is focused on healing and recovery. However, showing her positive side. She found humor in the situation, saying, “My nerves were just getting on my nerves.”

Earlier this month, she acknowledged that her weight loss journey had been affected by the scale’s numbers. This journey began post-partum after having her daughters and evolved into a fitness goal—training for a half-marathon she set for herself.

Serena opens up about wanting to be a GOAT at something else.

On November 21st, Serena Williams opened up in an interview with People about her life after tennis. Sharing her new goals and the challenges of transitioning away from the sport she loves. Nearly two years since her retirement, Williams expressed how much she misses tennis, stating, “I miss tennis like crazy.” To channel her competitive spirit, she has set a new goal: to run a half-marathon. “I’m trying to compete — not compete, rephrase — trying to do a half-marathon. That’s my new goal,” she explained. It’s a big shift for someone who has spent her entire life nurturing that competitive drive.

Beyond running, Williams is embracing motherhood wholeheartedly. She stated, “I want to be around them every single day of my life. I just figure I want to be the GOAT at something else. And for me, that’s being a mom right now.” This dedication to family is evident as she balances her roles as a mother and entrepreneur. However, she also reflected on the unique choices she has had to make as a woman in sports, noting, “But as a woman, I had to make different choices that I probably wouldn’t have had to make if I were a guy.” This sentiment hints at the sacrifices she made for her family and career.

Despite her focus on health and fitness, Williams has faced frustrations along the way. Recently, she took to social media to express her annoyance with the weighing scale’s readings, saying, “I can’t take any more negativity and lies. And that’s why I won’t get on scales anymore… Can you relate?” This candidness offers a refreshing glimpse into her life post-retirement—a reminder that even icons face everyday struggles. As fans rally behind her journey, it raises an interesting question: how do athletes navigate their identities after stepping away from their sports?