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Serena Williams reveals she had a benign cyst in her neck removed

"I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy," Williams said.

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PARIS, FRANCE – JULY 25: Serena Williams attends The Prelude to The Paris Games 2024 on July 25, 2024 in Paris, France.

Serena Williams is recovering after having a benign branchial cyst removed from her neck.

The tennis legend said the lump presented itself back in May and she immediately went to the doctor to get an MRI, to which the doctors said the removal was optional. 

Williams opted to forgo the operation, but after seeing the mass grow to the size of “a small grapefruit,” her medical team decided it was time to have it taken out in case it were to get “infected or leak” despite continued negative biopsies.

"So this is me removing it," Williams said on social media. "I am feeling so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy.”

@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

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The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion said she was still able to take her 7-year-old daughter, Olympia, to the American Girl Doll store, and “all is ok."

While the surgery was a success, Williams expressed disappointment about missing events such as Glamour Magazine’s “Woman of the Year” awards and tennis star Rafael Nadal’s retirement.

“Health always comes first,” Williams said.

Alexis Ohanian, Williams’ husband, was clearly in agreement, saying, “You’re such a fighter. And such a great mama."

Williams and Ohanian also have another daughter, Adira, who is 13 months old.

Spanish tennis star Rafael Nadal announced on social media Thursday that he was retiring.

Since annoucing her retirement from tennis in 2022, Williams has been running her capital firm, Serena Ventures, which invests in technology companies led by women and people of color. She also launched her own makeup line, WYN Beauty.

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian’s daughter, Olympia, had the best night meeting Simone Biles and Jordan Chiles during the Gold Over America Tour!
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