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Serena Williams is on the mend after revealing Tuesday she recently had a branchial cyst “the size of a small grapefruit” removed from her neck.

In a video posted on TikTok, the 23-time Grand Slam champion detailed the procedure and her subsequent recovery, sharing she discovered the mass on her neck in May.

“I got tests done, everything you can imagine, everything was negative and it turns out I had what they called a cyst, a branchial cyst to be exact,” Williams, 43, said in the nearly two-minute clip, which was documented from her hospital bed.


  Serena Williams detailed the recent procedure of having a large cyst removed from her neck. Serena Williams/TikTok Serena Williams detailed the recent procedure of having a large cyst removed from her neck. Serena Williams/TikTok

  The test results of the cyst were negative, the 23-time Grand Slam champ confirmed. Serena Williams/TikTok The test results of the cyst were negative, the 23-time Grand Slam champ confirmed. Serena Williams/TikTok

The Cleveland Clinic describes branchial cleft cysts as “small fluid-filled sacs that may look like lumps under your skin on the side of your neck.”

As the cyst “kept growing,” Williams opted for further testing and a biopsy that came back with negative results. Doctors advised her to get the mass removed to avoid the risk of infection or a leak.


  Serena Williams expressed gratitude that “everything worked out.” Serena Williams/TikTok Serena Williams expressed gratitude that “everything worked out.” Serena Williams/TikTok

  She filmed her ride home from the hospital. Serena Williams/TikTok She filmed her ride home from the hospital. Serena Williams/TikTok

“Obviously I went under for it, but they had to put a drain in it because it was so much but everything worked out and I feel really happy to have worked with some great doctors. A little scared here, but excited to be moving to the next steps of healing,” Williams said in the TikTok video.

Williams, who shares daughters Olympia, 7, and Adria, 1, with husband Alexis Ohanian, then filmed her ride home from the hospital.


  Serena Williams in July 2024 in Paris. Getty Images for LVMH x Vogue x NBC Serena Williams in July 2024 in Paris. Getty Images for LVMH x Vogue x NBC

“I’m a little tired but so grateful to remove it,” she said in the clip, which concluded with a trip to the doll store with Olympia.

Williams expressed gratitude in her TikTok caption that “everything worked out.”

“I am feeling [sic] so grateful, and fortunate everything worked out, and most of all I’m healthy,” the caption read.

Williams’ last appearance on the tennis circuit was at the 2022 U.S. Open when she lost to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round.

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