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Tennis legend Venus Williams has revealed the extent of her years-long struggle with fibroids, a painful medical condition that left her incapacitated before one of her most iconic Wimbledon matches. Speaking candidly in a recent interview with NBC News Daily Anchor Zinhle Essamuah, who also suffers from fibroids, Williams described how the benign uterine tumors led to “extreme pain” and moments where she was “laying on the locker room floor” unable to move or even practice.
Williams, 45, recounted a harrowing episode before the 2016 Wimbledon doubles final, which she ultimately won with her sister Serena. “We had a doubles final to play next, and I was just lying on the floor in the locker room, like, ‘It’s gonna pass. It’s gonna pass.’ And thank God Serena got the doctor. And I was able to get up and eat and start playing—which was bad luck for our opponents,” she said.
Fibroids, which are noncancerous growths in the uterus, can cause severe symptoms such as heavy and prolonged periods, pelvic pain, and bladder issues. Williams described her own symptoms as so severe that she would sometimes vomit or be unable to get off the ground, leading her to miss practices and struggle through matches.
Despite her high profile, Williams said her pain was frequently dismissed by doctors. “One doctor told me [when I was 37] … this is a part of aging. This is normal,” she recalled. Another suggested a hysterectomy—a recommendation that left her devastated. “I had never been running to have kids but I always wanted to have a choice and to have that taken away is just frightening,” Williams said.
For years, Williams believed her symptoms were related to her autoimmune diagnosis of Sjögren’s syndrome, but eventually, she learned the true cause was fibroids and adenomyosis, another painful uterine condition. After finally connecting with Dr. Tara Shirazian at NYU Langone Health’s Center for Fibroid Care, Williams underwent a myomectomy last year, a surgery that removes fibroids while preserving the uterus.
Now, as part of Fibroid Awareness Month, Williams is using her platform to encourage women to advocate for their own health. “You can be denied the best health care no matter who you are. And that you have to be your own advocate. Hopefully someone will see this interview and say, ‘I can get help. I don’t have to live this way,’” she said.
Essamuah echoed the importance of self-advocacy, noting that women’s pain is often minimized and that many are offered hysterectomies without being told about less invasive options. Up to 80% of women may develop fibroids in their lifetime, making awareness and access to care critical.
While Williams hinted at a possible return to tennis, she emphasized that her priority has been recovery and living happily without fibroids.
“Women know their bodies. They will tell you how they feel. Really all we have to do is listen,” said Dr. Shirazian, who performed Williams’ surgery.
Disclaimer:
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Readers experiencing similar symptoms should consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
