Tennis star Serena Williams had to undergo surgery for a cyst on her neck

Serena Williams (43) spoke in a TikTok video about her recent procedure for a cyst on her neck. The short clip shows the former tennis player with a large plaster on her neck in the hospital and on a subsequent family outing. “In May I discovered a lump on my neck. I immediately went to the doctor, had an MRI done and was told I had a lateral neck cyst,” the caption says.

Serena Williams had cyst ‘the size of a small grapefruit’

At first it was assumed that the neck cyst did not need to be removed. However, it continued to grow, which is why Williams underwent further tests and ultimately decided to have the operation. “The doctors advised me to have the cyst removed as soon as possible because it was the size of a small grapefruit and could become infected or even leak,” Williams said.

Serena Williams’ surgery went well

Serena Williams largely survived the procedure well. “It hurt somehow, the doctors had to put in a drain,” reports the athlete. But they are now “so grateful and happy that everything went well and, above all, that I am healthy” and thanked their treating team of doctors. On X (formerly Twitter), Williams added in another update: “I’m still on the mend but feeling better. Health always comes first.”

Serena Williams ended her illustrious tennis career in September 2022. She is one of the most successful tennis players of all time, winning 23 Grand Slam singles titles during a career spanning over 20 years.

(eyn/spot)