Off The Record

Our Hearts Go Out To The Tennis Legend… Prayers For Serena Williams

Published on October 23, 2024

Serena Williams is talking candidly about a recent health crisis that necessitated surgery to remove a “grapefruit-sized” branchial cyst from her neck.

The tennis icon stated on X on Tuesday that although she was “still recovering” following the surgery, her health was getting better.

Williams, 43, disclosed that she initially noticed a tumor on the side of her neck in May in a TikTok video that was also posted on Tuesday.

“They said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want,” she explained. “So I did not get it [removed], but it kept growing.”

@serena
Back in May I found a lump showing on my neck. I immediately went to the doc got a mri and was told I have a brachial 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. I decided to get more test and 3 test and one biopsy later everything is still negative but doctors advised I get it removed asap because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected or worse leak. So this is me removing it. I am feelimg so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy. I still made it to American doll with Olympia as promised. And yes all is ok. 🙏🏿🙏🏿 #fyp #foryourpage #serenawilliams #mom
♬ original sound – Serenawilliams

“I decided to get more tests, and three tests and one biopsy later, everything is still negative, but doctors advised I get it removed ASAP because it was the size of a small grapefruit and it could get infected, or worse, leak,” she wrote in the caption of her video.

According to the National Institutes of Health, she was diagnosed with a branchial cleft cyst, which is a benign fluid-filled sac located in the neck that may manifest as a lump of enlargement. Over the course of weeks or even years, they often expand slowly.

After the surgery, Williams posted videos of herself in the hospital. Although she claimed to be “suffering” as she and her daughter Olympia were shopping at the American Girl Doll store, she was actually feeling much better.

“I am feeling so grateful and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy.”