5 times Serena Williams survived major health scares ft. childbirth complications involving daughter Olympia

Serena Williams is not just a tennis legend; she is also a fighter. While we often celebrate her remarkable achievements on the court, her resilience off the court is equally inspiring.

Her journey has been marked by serious setbacks, including life-threatening blood clots and a foot injury that required surgery. She also faced complications during childbirth after welcoming her daughter, Olympia, and most recently, she revealed that she underwent treatment for a benign branchial cyst.

On that note, we will explore five major health scares that the American has bravely navigated, proving that no matter what life throws at you, it’s all about finding a way to keep moving forward.

#5 Accidentally stepping on broken glass

In 2010, Serena Williams cut tendons in her right foot after accidentally stepping on glass while at a restaurant in Munich, Germany, shortly after her title win at Wimbledon.

She underwent surgery (12 stitches in her right foot and six on the bottom of her left foot), which sidelined her for the rest of the season, preventing her from defending her US Open title and competing in other tournaments.

The American recalled the situation during an interview with USA Today that year, saying:

"I came back to the United States from Germany and knew something was not right," she said. "My big toe was drooping, and I thought, 'My toe shouldn't be hanging like this.' I saw a specialist in New York and had an MRI, and he said I had a tendon that was torn."

"He said I didn't necessarily have to fix it, but I'd have a droopy toe the rest of my life. I thought it over and decided it was better to have the surgical procedure, for my career and for my life," she added.

#4 A near-death experience due to hematoma and pulmonary embolism

Serena Williams pictured at Wimbledon 2014 | Image Source: Getty

In 2011, Serena Williams faced a serious health scare when she developed a pulmonary embolism. It occurs when a blood clot, typically originating from a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg, travels to the lungs and blocks a pulmonary artery.

This condition followed her recovery from her foot surgery in 2010, during which she was likely treated with blood thinners and clot-busting drugs. The treatment increased her risk of a hematoma—a dangerous buildup of blood outside a blood vessel—which caused her to be hospitalized in Los Angeles for emergency care.

Later that year, the American opened up about the experience during a media interaction, saying:

"At first people said it would be fine, it would be all right but it turned out to be a lot more serious. If it had been left two days later it could have been career-ending – or even worse. They told me I had several blood clots in both lungs. A lot of people die from that."

"This has given me a whole new perspective on life and my career – and not taking anything for granted. I'm just taking one day at a time," she added.

#3 Serena Williams relives blood clot horrors immediately after daughter Olympia's birth

Serena Williams tied the knot with Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian on November 16, 2017, in New Orleans. The couple has two children: Olympia, born on September 1, 2017, and Adira River, born in August 2023.

Williams had to undergo an emergency C-section after Olympia's heart rate dropped during labor. Though Olympia was safely delivered, the 23-time Major champion started losing feeling in her legs and her pain worsened.

Despite the initial lack of concern from the medical staff, she insisted on tests for blood clots. The tests revealed clots, and she required immediate surgery to prevent them from reaching her lungs.

"They were trying to talk to me, and all I could think was, 'I’m dying, I’m dying. Oh my God,'" Williams wrote in a first-person essay for the April 2022 edition of Elle magazine.

Notably, Serena Williams won the Australian Open in 2017 while pregnant with Olympia, defeating her sister Venus in the final. This victory marked her last Grand Slam title.

#2 Suffering from hamstring injury a year before her retirement

Serena Williams pictured at the 2022 US Open | Image Source: Getty

In 2021, Serena Williams suffered a hamstring injury during her first-round match at Wimbledon against Aliaksandra Sasnovich. It occurred in the first set when she slipped on the grass, leading her to retire from the match in tears.

Following the incident, Williams faced a lengthy recovery process. The injury not only sidelined her for the remainder of Wimbledon but also affected her participation in subsequent tournaments, including the US Open.

She returned to professional play in June 2022, partnering with Ons Jabeur for Eastbourne International. She then competed at the Grasscourt Major, but lost to Harmony Tan in the opening round.

The 43-year-old soon announced her retirement from the sport, embarking on her farewell tour. She participated in the Canadian Open and the Cincinnati Open before playing at the US Open, where she exited in the third round after losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in her final singles match.

#1 Removal of benign branchial cyst from her neck

Serena Williams recently underwent surgery to remove a benign branchial cyst from her neck, which had grown to "the size of a small grapefruit."

She shared an update on her health on TikTok, revealing that she discovered a lump in her neck back in May. Initially, after consulting with doctors, she decided not to have it removed. However, after realizing the lump was growing, she changed her mind and opted for surgery.

"I immediately went to the doc got a MRI and was told I have a brachial [sic] cyst. Have you ever heard of that? They said I don't need to get it removed if I don't want. So I did not get it but it kept growing," she wrote in the caption of the video.

Williams also assured her fans that the surgery went well and that she was feeling "healthy":