The tennis legend’s nostalgia posts and candid revelations about her post-retirement journey highlight her enduring influence on sports, culture, and social media trends.
Serena Williams, one of the most celebrated athletes of her generation, has been enjoying a vibrant new chapter since stepping away from professional tennis. At 43, Williams remains a towering figure in sports and pop culture, her influence undiminished even three years after her retirement in 2022. As the world revisits the trends and icons of the past decade, Williams’ legacy and current pursuits continue to spark admiration and conversation across generations.
Williams’ retirement marked the end of an era defined by her unrivaled dominance on the tennis court. Over the course of her illustrious career, she claimed 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven at Wimbledon, cementing her place among the greatest players in the history of the sport. According to BBC, her final major triumph came at the Australian Open in 2017, but her impact has extended far beyond the baseline. Alongside her sister Venus, Serena reshaped not just women’s tennis but also the broader landscape of athletics, representation, and celebrity
Since leaving the tour, Williams has embraced motherhood and entrepreneurship with characteristic zeal. In August 2023, she welcomed her second child, Adira, adding to her growing family with husband Alexis Ohanian. The couple’s eldest daughter, Olympia, has even begun learning the value of hard work and reward. As Ohanian revealed, Olympia receives a £5 weekly allowance for household chores—a contract cleverly negotiated by Williams herself. “Yes, Olympia’s got a contract. £5-a-week allowance, negotiated by her mom (who somehow got her weekends off). Feed the dog, clothes in the hamper, make her bed, get paid. We’re trying to build the muscle: work = reward. Good things come when you work for it,” Ohanian explained. “Serena was her lawyer in the negotiation,” he joked. “I drew up a real contract. Her mom was her counsel, which was really frustrating. She’s gotta feed the dog, put her clothes in the hamper, makes her bed.”
Financially, Williams stands as one of the most successful athletes of her era. Her estimated net worth, built on prize money and endorsement deals with global brands like Nike, Gatorade, and Beats by Dre, sits at an impressive £220 million. Combined with Ohanian’s own fortune, the family’s wealth is estimated at around £330 million. Yet, for all her financial and professional success, Williams’ post-retirement journey has also been marked by personal transformation and openness about her challenges.
One aspect that has drawn significant public attention is Williams’ physical transformation since retiring from competition. She has been candid about her efforts to maintain her fitness, recently revealing that, alongside a rigorous exercise regimen, she has used GLP-1 weight-loss medication provided by US healthcare firm Ro. In a Vogue interview, Williams explained, “My whole life has been about working out – running, training, HIIT sessions, dancing, everything you can think of. But I always got stuck at a certain point. That’s when I decided to try something different and started using GLP-1 with Ro.”
Williams emphasized that she was already committed to a healthy lifestyle but found herself needing additional support to achieve her goals. “It’s an issue so many women can relate to,” she told Vogue. “You’re putting in the work but can’t quite get where you want to be.” For Williams, the transformation has been both physical and psychological. “I feel lighter in my head, I feel sexier, I feel more confident,” she said. Addressing critics who dismiss GLP-1 use as an ‘easy way out,’ Williams was forthright: “I know people can be negative about it, saying things like, ‘It’s for lazy people,’ or, ‘If you train hard enough, you don’t need it.’ But that’s simply not true. Sometimes you need a little help – and that’s OK. Everyone has their own story. I made the choice for myself and I’m really happy I did.”
Williams’ candor about her journey has resonated with many, particularly as the internet experiences a wave of 2016 nostalgia. Over the past week, social media platforms have been awash with throwbacks to a decade ago—a time when, as HelloBeautiful notes, social media felt “looser, less curated, and way more fun.” The 2016 revival has seen celebrities and everyday users alike sharing photos and memories from an era that, for many, represents a simpler and more authentic digital life.
Williams has embraced this trend wholeheartedly. On January 16, 2026, she posted black-and-white images on Instagram recalling her iconic cameo in Beyoncé’s 2016 visual album Lemonade, specifically the song “Sorry.” The music video, released in April 2016, now boasts over 360 million views on YouTube. Williams’ post included candid shots echoing the aesthetics of the video, along with playful captions like, “I ain’t sorry, these Meg [Thee Stallion] knees are here to stay,” and references to awards such as the “Beychela Spirit Award” and “The Supreme Bey Award.”
Her collaboration with Beyoncé was more than a pop culture moment—it was a statement about strength and courage. Williams has spoken about her connection to director Kahlil Joseph and her friendship with Beyoncé, telling Billboard after the album’s release, “They wanted me to be part of a song about strength and courage. Beyoncé encouraged me to dance freely and enjoy myself.” The throwback not only reignited fan excitement but also reminded the world of Williams’ multifaceted presence, both on and off the court.
The 2016 nostalgia trend has swept up other stars as well. Marsai Martin, Simone Biles, and Raven Goodwin have all shared their own throwbacks, celebrating growth and transformation while honoring their roots. For Williams, revisiting this period feels less like pure nostalgia and more like a well-earned victory lap—a chance to reflect on how far she’s come without erasing where she started.
