Serena Williams, one of the most celebrated athletes of all time, has opened up about her journey to self-acceptance, revealing how she has learned to be kinder to herself regarding body image. In a candid interview, the tennis legend explained why she has chosen to avoid weighing scales and why she no longer lets societal pressures dictate her self-worth.

Williams, who has faced intense media scrutiny throughout her career due to her athletic physique, has long been vocal about the challenges of maintaining a positive body image in the public eye. In the interview, she shared that over time, she had become “exhausted” from constantly battling negativity and the unrealistic beauty standards that were often projected onto her. This led her to make a conscious decision to step away from the scales.

“I can’t take anymore negativity and lies,” Williams said. “When I stepped on the scale, it didn’t tell me anything about who I was. It didn’t tell me how strong I was, how many hours of practice I put in, or how much I’ve achieved in my career. The number on the scale didn’t define me, and I realized that I was allowing it to.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion explained that her focus has shifted from trying to fit into a prescribed mold of what a woman’s body “should” look like to embracing her own strength and vitality. “I’m so much kinder to myself now,” she continued. “Instead of obsessing over weight or size, I focus on how I feel. Do I feel healthy? Am I strong? Can I perform at my best on the court? Those are the real measures of success.”

This shift in perspective has been part of a larger process of healing for Williams, who has been open about the emotional toll of being a public figure. In recent years, she has actively worked to detach from the pressures of the spotlight and to prioritize her mental and physical well-being.

“I think as women, we all feel that pressure to look a certain way, but I’ve learned that it’s okay to step back and redefine what that means for myself,” Williams explained. “I feel more at peace now. I’ve learned that I don’t have to prove anything to anyone but myself.”

Serena’s decision to move away from the scale and focus on her internal sense of strength is a powerful reminder to women everywhere that self-worth is not defined by numbers or external opinions but by one’s own sense of empowerment.