Serena Williams recently underwent surgery to remove a branchial cleft cyst from her neck, a condition that alarmed her fans. She discovered a lump in May 2024, and despite initial advice that surgery wasn’t necessary, the cyst grew significantly, prompting her doctors to recommend immediate removal. Serena described the cyst as being “the size of a small grapefruit” and shared her relief that the biopsy showed no malignancy​

After a successful surgery, Serena expressed gratitude for her health and thanked her supporters. This health scare prevented her from attending key events, including Glamour’s Woman of the Year awards and reacting to Rafael Nadal’s retirement announcement. However, she remains optimistic, focusing on recovery and spending time with her family​