Serena Williams Hospitalized for Removal of a Massive Cyst “The Size of a Grapefruit”
Former world No. 1 tennis player Serena Williams expressed regret for missing the announcement of Rafael Nadal’s retirement last week while she was recovering from surgery.
Health Comes First
Serena Williams, an iconic figure far beyond the realm of tennis, revealed on Wednesday, October 16, that she had undergone the removal of a large cyst in her neck, equivalent in size to a grapefruit, and that she was recovering well from the operation.
In a social media post, the 43-year-old former top-ranked women’s tennis player shared her journey to recovery, emphasizing that health always takes precedence. “I am still in recovery but I am getting better. Health always comes first,” affirmed the American champion on X (formerly Twitter).
She also lamented her absence during the media coverage of Rafael Nadal’s upcoming retirement announcement last week. Additionally, she expressed regret for missing the annual Glamour magazine ceremony, where she had been honored as the Female Athlete of the Year in 2004, and celebrated women from various fields including sports, medicine, politics, and fashion.
Grapefruit-Sized Cyst
In a TikTok video narrated by Serena Williams and featuring glimpses of her hospital journey, she elaborated on her medical ordeal. She disclosed that in May, she noticed a lump on the right side of her neck, and an MRI revealed it to be a branchial cyst (a benign growth). Given the option to undergo surgery or not, Williams postponed the removal until the cyst enlarged.
“I decided to undergo more tests, and after three tests and a biopsy, all results were negative. However, the doctors advised me to have it removed promptly because it was the size of a small grapefruit and had the potential to become infected or, worse, burst,” recounted the 23-time Grand Slam champion in the TikTok video description.
The retired athlete, who admitted to experiencing pain during the cyst removal, reassured her fans at the end of the video, featuring her shopping with her daughter Olympia: “But everything worked out, and I am very grateful to have been in the hands of fantastic doctors.”
Illustrious Career
Serena Williams clinched her first Grand Slam title at the US Open in 1999 and her most recent in 2017 at the Australian Open, which she has won seven times. Her illustrious career boasts seven Wimbledon titles, six US Open victories, and three Roland Garros triumphs. She bid adieu to professional tennis at her final US Open appearance in 2022.
