Tennis legend Serena Williams has revealed that she had a benign branchial cyst ‘the size of a small grapefruit’ recently removed from her neck.

The 43-year-old insisted ‘all is OK’ as she shared the update from a hospital bed.

Williams revealed the procedure in a social media video, saying she found a lump on her neck back in May and was told at the resulting MRI exam that she did not need to get it removed if she did not want to.

Williams chose not to at first ‘but it kept growing,’ she said.

‘So many things I missed like @glamourmag Woman of the Year awards, @RafaelNadal retirement and I am still recovering, but getting better. Health always comes first,’ Williams said in a separate post.

‘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?’ Williams said in the video.

‘They said I don’t need to get it removed if I don’t want. So I did not get it (removed) but it kept growing. I decided to get more tests, and three tests 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 feeling 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.’

Williams was spotted last month at a Green Day concert in Los Angeles, jogging around in a circle alongside other fans of the rock band, showing no obvious signs of ill-health.

Serena Williams, who celebrated her 43rd birthday in September, has been off the tennis court for two years following her emotional farewell at the 2022 US Open. The 23-time Grand Slam champion is now enjoying life away from competitive play, married to entrepreneur Alexis Ohanian and raising their two daughters: seven-year-old Olympia and one-year-old Adira.

Last month, Williams made a nostalgic return to the US Open as a fan, donning a throwback denim skirt reminiscent of her playing days. Her presence at the tournament was a reminder of her legendary status in the sport.

Widely regarded as one of the greatest tennis players of all time, Williams held the WTA No. 1 ranking for an impressive 319 weeks throughout her career. Her dominance from the 2002 French Open to the 2023 Australian Open was unparalleled, capturing all four Grand Slam singles titles and defeating her older sister Venus in every final they contested.

Williams clinched her last major title at the 2017 Australian Open, finishing her career just one Grand Slam singles title shy of the all-time record of 24, held by Margaret Court. As fans continue to celebrate her legacy, Williams remains an enduring icon in the world of tennis.