Holger Rune defends Serena Williams after Super Bowl ad backlash

Serena Williams’ Super Bowl LX commercial for Ro sparked strong reactions over the weekend—and the former world No. 1 found support from an unlikely source amid the online backlash.

When news broke that Williams would appear in one of the famously pricey ad slots, the timing raised eyebrows. It came shortly after the 44-year-old fueled comeback rumors by reentering the ITIA’s anti-doping testing pool and sidestepping questions from Today host Savannah Guthrie during a recent appearance.

Turns out the reveal was a commercial for GLP-1 provider Ro, promoting a weight-loss injection and announcing that it is now available in pill form. Williams’ husband, Reddit co-founder and venture capitalist Alexis Ohanian, serves on Ro’s board.

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“I’m on Ro. 34 pounds down on Ro,” Williams said in the ad, which aired during the Seattle Seahawks’ win over the New England Patriots. “Healthier on Ro… I’m moving better on Ro. I’m feeling better on Ro. I’m Serena Williams. This is me on Ro.”

“I feel better now than I have in years,” she added in a statement. “For me, this journey has been about feeling strong, energized, and healthy in my body; I feel like myself again. Being on Ro helped me focus on my health in a way that actually worked for me, and I’m excited to share how great I feel with millions of people during the Super Bowl.”

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With GLP-1 medications—including the more widely known Ozempic—under scrutiny as usage has surged, the ad drew mixed reviews online. Prominent tennis social media user PavvyG wrote on X:

“One of the greatest athletes in the world is shamelessly now promoting weight loss drugs? I fear (sp) truly saddened by this, nobody should be encouraging people to take weight loss drugs, but especially a role model and icon of sport. I fear for the future.”

The comment ignited debate, including a response from former ATP world No. 4 Holger Rune.

“Being overweight comes with a health risk, like alcohol… Seeking help to overcome personal challenges is always the right thing to do,” he wrote on X.

“I think it’s great that Serena don’t pretend it just happen overnight, but openly inform about what she did to achieve her personal goals in terms of her body. There is not one right or wrong way here, there is only the way that is good for you… We should not shame on this.”

In later posts, the 22-year-old highlighted the strict regulations surrounding GLP-1 medications, including the need for a doctor’s evaluation and prescription. “It’s the doctors that evaluate if you are suited for this or not. We must have trust in the doctors, no?"

Rune declined to engage further and signed off with: “You can always find something matching your arguments. That’s the beauty of open discussions and different opinions… I must go back to my rehab work. Have a nice Monday.”

The Dane is currently rehabbing an ankle injury after tearing his Achilles tendon at the ATP 250 event in Stockholm last October. He's been recovering in Denmark and sharing updates since being cleared to return to the court in December.

For Williams—whose body shape and weight were frequently discussed, and at times criticized, throughout her career—the weight loss has also brought reported health benefits, including reduced knee stress, steadier blood sugar levels and lower cholesterol.

Read More: Serena Williams signals possible return by rejoining testing pool

Amid ongoing hints of a comeback, including training clips shared on social media, another significant development emerged from the ITIA. On Monday, Ben Rothenberg of Bounces reported that Williams has been officially declared eligible to return to professional tennis from February 22 by the sport’s anti-doping body. Currently, GLP-1 medications are not banned by WADA, though they are included in its monitoring program to track potential misuse.