Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Serena Williams’s physical appearance has been the target of scrutiny by the public, but this time, fans are firing back at the negativity.

Woman in leopard-print dress posing in front of "Audemars Piguet" backdrop

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Serena, who’s often referred to as the G.O.A.T. (greatest of all time) when it comes to tennis, has been the target of criticism since she began playing the sport professionally at the young age of 14, with her older sister, Venus Williams, who’s also a highly decorated Olympian.

Two athletes smile while holding gold medals. They're wearing track suits and standing on a podium, holding flower bouquets

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From the beads she wore in her hair…

Two athletes with beaded hairstyles pose together on a tennis court, wearing sporty outfits. One is in a tracksuit, the other in a polo shirt

Ron Galella / Ron Galella Collection via Getty Images

…to the “controversial” outfits she rocked on the court, Serena has been the target of scrutiny since the beginning, with conversations often having nothing to do with the sport itself.

Person in sleek athletic outfit raises tennis racket victoriously on clay court, smiling widely

Clive Brunskill / Getty Images

But some of the most shocking and disgusting comments that have been uttered or typed about the multi-Grand Slam winner, were focused specifically on her body. For decades the media has always had a weird fascination with the shape, look, and size of Serena’s body.

Person in elegant velvet gown with high slit poses confidently on a red carpet at a celebrity event

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She appeared “different” compared to other athletes in the predominantly white sport, which made her and her sister prime targets for racism and microaggressions. Serena remembered being called the n-word during the 2001 BNP Paribas Open in California, as the crowd booed Serena and her sister.

A woman with braided hair adorned with beads gazes over her shoulder, wearing a white top and hoop earrings

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“When Venus and I were walking down the stairs to our seats, people kept calling me ‘nigger,’” her father and coach Richard Williams later told journalists. One man, he said, threatened, “‘I wish it was ’75; we’d skin you alive.’”

The mom of two was (and, honestly, still is) constantly compared to an animal, while others called her aggressive and frightening. Her athletic build was deemed unattractive, unfeminine, and frequently likened to the physique of a man.

A tennis player celebrates passionately on the court, wearing a sleeveless sporty top and holding a racket

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But despite the incessant body-shaming, Serena never let that get in the way of winning. She is now one of the most decorated tennis players in history, breaking records and barriers throughout her impressive career.

Person holding a trophy in one arm and a child in the other, wearing a tennis outfit and a beaded braid

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Serena announced her retirement in 2022, citing she was “evolving away” from the sport. In fact, she wanted to shy away from the word “retirement” and think of it more as an “evolution.” She also mentioned a desire to expand her family.

Person in a stylish long dress sits on stage during a panel discussion, smiling and engaged

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Outside of raising two daughters — 7-year-old Olympia and 1-year-old Adira River — with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, Serena has her hands in many buckets, including running a venture capital firm, co-owning a WNBA team, and more. But even as she continues to expand her empire, somehow the focus always comes back to Serena’s appearance.

A smiling woman in a casual outfit stands with a young girl, holding hands. Guitars hang in the background

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On July 11, Serena shared a series of gym selfies after a workout. She playfully captioned the carousel, “Working out and working on my angles.”

Person taking a mirror selfie in a gym, wearing a sports bra and leggings, showcasing fitness. Fitness equipment is visible in the background

Serena Williams / instagram.com

She showed off her chisled abs and toned arms as she posed in front of the mirror.

Person in gym taking a selfie, wearing a sports bra and leggings. Exercise equipment surrounds them, and another person is in the background

Serena Williams / instagram.com

The photos caused a debate in the comments. Some, who couldn’t look past her noticeable weight loss, voiced concern for Serena, while others accused her of using Ozempic and losing all her curves:

Comment reads: "jsnoah Ozempic. Doesn’t even look like Serena anymore" with 907 likes

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment reads: "Come home sis! ?? please!!! WE love you but This ain't it!!!!!!"

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment: "Tell us it's Ozempic without telling us, send me a pic of when Serena EVER looked like this. And was this light too ???"

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment discussing a celebrity's weight loss and appearance, expressing sadness about their use of Ozempic and noting they look different now

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment questioning a celebrity's decision to lose weight post-tennis career, suggesting it doesn't make sense to wait

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Others showered her with compliments, applauding her for her dedication and strength:

Instagram comments with users praising someone’s fitness and style goals, using emojis like fire, clapping, and flexing muscles

Serena Williams / instagram.com

As more fans chimed in, they came to Serena’s defense, stating that the focus should be on how happy she feels:

Instagram comment summarizing that growth and being one's best self are important, regardless of others' opinions

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment expressing support: "She looks good to me idk why ppl care so much....shorty is happy n im happy for her." 166 likes

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment expressing support for Serena Williams, encouraging acceptance of her transitions and happiness at any phase, and excitement for a potential comeback

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment praising Serena's transformation, celebrating her resilience and champion status despite scrutiny. Encourages her to silence critics once more

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment discussing a celebrity's fitness and body image, mentioning their past as an athlete and the impact of not training intensively

Serena Williams / instagram.com

While some reminded others of the ramifications words can have, especially when you’re an outsider placing judgment on someone you don’t know personally. One person even used Chadwick Boseman’s untimely death as an example, when the world didn’t know he was sick, and jokes were being made about his dramatic weight loss.

Comment discusses reacting to Chadwick's weight due to illness and urges compassion for someone taking drastic health steps

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment discussing body image perceptions, stating critiques of being "bigger" or "too thin" and emphasizing self-acceptance as key

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment emphasizes not judging body composition and praises fitness level

Serena Williams / instagram.com

Comment praising Serena for her physical and mental transformation, noting her beauty and stylish clothing

Serena Williams / instagram.com

You can check out Serena’s full transformation below:

Instagram
View this photo on Instagram

Instagram: @serenawilliams

And for goodness’ sake, can we just be kind? Every thought that crosses our mind, especially if it’s a negative one, doesn’t need to be shared publicly for other people to see.