If you’ve scrolled through Instagram lately, you’ve probably stopped dead in your tracks. Serena Williams latest pics are everywhere, and honestly, she looks like a completely different person than the woman who bid a tearful goodbye at the 2022 US Open.
The internet is currently losing its collective mind over a set of photos Serena shared just a few days ago. It wasn't a tennis court shot or a high-fashion editorial. It was something way more personal. On January 7, 2026, Serena dropped a gallery of family photos from her sister Venus Williams' wedding to Italian actor Andrea Preti.
She was glowing. Literally.
The Viral Wedding Look and That "Glow"
Let's talk about the dress first because it was a moment. Serena wore a romantic, bridal-inspired gown that felt soft, ethereal, and totally unlike the "warrior" aesthetic we’re used to seeing. She was posing with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, and their two daughters, Olympia (now 8) and Adira (who just turned 2).
The girls were in matching light blue dresses, looking like actual dolls. But the real chatter wasn't just about the fashion. It was about how Serena looked—specifically her face and her physique.
Lately, the comment sections have been a battlefield. Some fans are obsessed with her "evolution," while others have been making pretty wild accusations. People have been claiming her skin looks lighter, which led to some nasty rumors about bleaching.
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Alexis Ohanian didn't let that slide. He recently went to bat for her on social media, basically telling everyone to pipe down. He attributes her look to happiness, health, and a very specific lifestyle shift.
The 31-Pound Transformation: It’s Not Just Tennis
You might’ve noticed she looks leaner. Way leaner. Serena recently admitted on The Today Show that she’s dropped about 31 pounds.
She’s been super transparent about it, which is refreshing. In a recent podcast with Oprah Winfrey, Serena got real about using GLP-1 therapy—specifically Zepbound—to help manage her weight.
She told Oprah that despite training like an animal her entire life, her body just wouldn't budge past a certain point after Adira was born. "I would always get to a certain point on the scale, but I could never get below that," she said.
It’s sparked a massive debate. Is she a brand ambassador for the telehealth company Ro? Yes. Is her husband on the board? Also yes. But Serena’s take is basically: "This is my body, and this is what worked for me." She’s even talking about running a half marathon soon.
Seeing her with six-pack abs in her latest mirror selfies? It’s kind of wild to think she’s 44 and looks fitter than she did during some of her championship years.
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Is the 2026 Comeback Actually Happening?
This is the big one. The "will she, won't she" that never ends.
In late 2025, a report leaked that Serena had re-entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) drug-testing pool. For those who don't know the boring technicalities, you have to be in that pool for six months before you can play a pro match.
The internet exploded.
Serena, being Serena, tried to shut it down fast. She posted on X (formerly Twitter), "Omg yall I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy."
But here’s the thing: she’s still on the list.
Why would you submit to random drug testers showing up at your house at 6 AM if you aren't planning something? Her former coach, Rick Macci, thinks she might be eyeing a doubles run with Venus. Venus is 45 now and still out there grinding—she's actually playing in Auckland right now and heading to the Australian Open as a wildcard.
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The latest pics of Serena hitting the court with her daughter Adira—while literally carrying the toddler—went viral because she joked that she "replaced Venus" with a new doubles partner.
Life Beyond the Baseline
When she’s not sparking comeback rumors or shutting down trolls, Serena is basically a venture capital mogul. At the America Business Forum in Miami, she was talking about Serena Ventures and her investments in AI and women’s health.
She seems way more interested in "Teal Health" (a cervical cancer screening startup she backed) than hitting cross-court forehands these days.
She also has a new podcast with Venus that launched late last year. It’s mostly just them roasting each other and talking to "visionaries," but it gives a glimpse into their life that we never got when they were in the "zone" on tour.
What to Take Away from the New Serena
If you're looking at Serena Williams latest pics for inspiration, here’s the actual reality of her "Evolution" in 2026:
- Own your health journey: Whether it's GLP-1s or 5 AM gym sessions, Serena is doing what works for her 44-year-old body, not what the public expects.
- Ignore the "noise": The skin-bleaching rumors and the comeback pressure are constant. She seems to have mastered the art of the "post and ghost."
- Family is the priority: She literally told Byrdie that a Wimbledon trophy doesn't hold a candle to volunteering at Olympia’s school. That's a huge shift from the "killer" we saw at Center Court for two decades.
If you want to keep up with her, her Instagram is still the best spot, but take the "comeback" rumors with a grain of salt. She’s eligible to play by mid-2026 if she stays in that testing pool. Until then, she's just a mom of two enjoying her sister's wedding and building a business empire.
Check out her latest Wyn Beauty line if you want to see how she’s getting that specific "wedding glow" she sported in the recent photos. She’s been using her own products almost exclusively in her recent "Get Ready With Me" videos.
Actionable Insights for Fans:
- Follow the ITIA pool: If her name stays on the list through June 2026, a US Open appearance is statistically likely, regardless of her denials.
- Watch the Podcast: If you want the unfiltered Serena, the "Williams Sisters Podcast" on X is where she actually drops the real tea, not the polished PR statements.
- Health Advocacy: Take Serena’s advice from her SELF interview—be your own advocate. She’s been vocal about her battle with fibroids and her recent adenomyoma diagnosis. Use her story as a prompt to stay on top of your own screenings.