SI LifeStyle

Serena Williams’s Mental Health Note to Fans Is Incredibly Important

The retired tennis champion issued a message about emotional well-being earlier this week.

Cara O’Bleness

Serena Williams

Serena Williams.

Sometimes it’s difficult to remember that even the most successful people in the world have days where they’re just not really feeling it—which is why Serena Williams’s recent mental health confession is so important.

The four-time Olympic gold medalist took to social media platform X, formerly known as Twitter, on Nov. 28 to issue a public service announcement about her current mood.

“I am not ok today. And that’s ok to not be ok,” she wrote to her 10.4 million followers. “No one is ok every single day. If you are not ok today I’m with you. There’s always tomorrow 😘 Love you.”

Judging by the responses she received back, it’s clear that the 23-time Grand Slam Singles champ’s admission not only helped alleviate her own feelings, but really struck a chord with her fans.

“Thank you for being open about your feelings,” one person applauded. “Your honesty is appreciated. Remember to practice self-compassion and reach out to loved ones when you need support. Together, we can get through the challenging moments. Sending you virtual hugs and encouragement. 💕 #YouAreNotAlone.”

“This spoke to me,” another admitted. “Thank you for these energy giving words. I have prayed for you, you will be okay! I will be okay also. ❤️.”

“Millions need and needed to hear this,” another user noted. “God bless you and yours.”

Later on that day, Williams followed up with the sweetest tweet: a photograph in which she held infant daughter Adira, whom she welcomed with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, in August, to her chest. The two are also parents to 6-year-old Olympia.

“This makes me so happy,” the retired tennis champ wrote along with the precious snapshot.

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Cara O’Bleness

CARA O’BLENESS

Cara is a trending news writer/editor for Sports Illustrated Swimsuit. A passionate writer and editor with more than 10 years of experience in print and online media, she loves storytelling and believes that words have the power to change the world. Prior to joining the team, Cara worked as a writer and editor across a number of content verticals, including food, lifestyle, health and wellness, and small business and entrepreneurship. In her free time, Cara loves reading, spending time with her family and making her way through Michigan’s many microbreweries. She is a graduate of Michigan State University's School of Journalism.