Serena Williams DELETES her airbrushed People magazine image from Instagram and replaces it with the untouched version - after a huge backlash from fans 

Serena Williams has replaced a controversial image of herself posted on Instagram that shows the tennis star with an apparently photoshopped waistline with a more realistic shot, after fans complained the original was 'unrealistic'.

The 34-year-old world number one posted the swimsuit image last week after a photoshoot with People Magazine. 

However, more than 600 people commented on the touched-up photo within just two hours, with many questioning why Serena needed to be photoshopped. 

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She's listening! Serena, 34, replaced the heavily photoshopped image, right, on Instagram with the shot on the left, which appears to be untouched

More realistic: The original photo, taken from a People Magazine shoot, trimmed inches from Serena's waist. The star has now replaced the shot with one that appears to be have been left alone by the magazine's design team

Proud of her physique: Serena followed up the image with another revealing shot of herself relaxing by the pool...and showcasing her new Nike trainers...

Over the weekend, the athlete replaced the monochrome image of herself posing in a figure-hugging black swimsuit with one that was identical, except for a more honest waistline. 

The new undoctored image appeared just as the first had, with the line '@people mag most beautiful 2016' a reference to the magazine's annual list of most beautiful people, of which Serena is one. 

Plenty of people were thrilled that she'd listened to the thoughts of some of her 3.1million followers. User airescaracas wrote: 'Glad she took the photoshopped version down. This is gorgeous!'

Another, emily.freas, added: 'This is a far superior photo, while mashava said: 'Why didn't they use the normal one on the magazine cover.' 

It seems Williams had read the comments, with some describing posting the tiny-waisted shot as a disappointing move from their idol, and responded.

The earler image prompted a tidal wave of criticism. 

One fan, Miss Molteni wrote: 'I love her but the bar behind her waist is so warped. Disappointing.' Eabha Neachtain said: 'Is this photoshopped???' while Diego Venancio wrote: 'Photoshop wins... rs' (real s***).

Fans loved the fact that Serena took down the original image, taking to Instagram to comment on the photo

Mallory Mazurek joined in the conversation, writing: 'You look beautiful the way you. yes this is a great picture but I don't feel this is the best representation of your actually body type. and trust I love your body the way God intended for it to (sic.)'

Tylane Tennis asked: 'It's a joke? The photoshop is,' with another of her followers adding: 'Slayyy but horrible photoshop.'

Meanwhile, Oblambo wrote: 'The one natural beauty who doesn't need photoshop is the one they give it too smh [shaking my head],' while one fan blasted: 'Bad bad photoshop work... I could do better.'

Another commented : 'You could see the pole behind her is distorted... I have seen her in person MANY times! Shes too gorgeous for them to be distorting her like this.'

One wrote: 'Whomever is responsible for that photoshop needs to be fired. You are gorgeous, healthy and perfect with out it!' 

It's not the first time Serena has found herself in the midst of a photoshopping controversy. When she graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in December, critics flocked to social media to comment on her thighs

Another fan claimed doctoring had 'screwed the picture', while Jennifer Dylan said it was 'ridiculous' and another labelled it 'disrespectful.'

'Why did they photoshop you like this? You're gorgeous naturally,' wrote one. One added: 'Not happy with that photoshop...you rock without it!' 

However, not everyone was quite so quick to accuse. The photo earned Serena more than 37,000 likes, with one fan gushing: 'Gorgeous,' while one added: 'Finally someone I can relate to and actually agree with the title. Gorgeooooous darling,' followed by a thumbs-up emoji.'

Doby Max labelled the photo 'beautiful, gorgeous, sexy,' and one Instagrammer wrote: 'It might not be photoshop you guys :) some people's bodies are naturally that curvy!' 

Sharing the photo from People magazine's May 2 issue, Serena wrote: '@people mag most beautiful 2016'. But the moment the photograph went up, her fans began suggesting that the image had been doctored

And C. Jordan wrote: 'No Photoshop absolutely beautiful,' with Junita Fredo labelling the photograph 'breathtaking'. 

It's not the first time the tennis champ has found herself in the midst of a retouching controversy. 

When Serena graced the cover of Sports Illustrated in December 2015, critics flocked to social media to comment on the size of her thighs, while accusing picture editors of using Photoshop to make her athletic legs look smaller.

'The photoshopped the sh** out of #SerenaWilliams' thighs for that #SportsIllustrated cover. Geez [sic],' one person commented on Twitter.  

Adding their voice to the conversation, another Twitter user noted: 'I don't like that cover photo of Serena Williams on SI because they made her thighs look nonexistent.'

In the powerful - and now controversial - image, Serena is pictured wearing a black lace leotard and patent leather pumps as she sits on a gold throne with her leg slung over the arm of the chair. However, not everyone was taken by the stunning image. 

'Photoshopped #SerenaWilliams until she looked slim. Beautiful picture but she better with her normal body [sic],' one person tweeted, while another added:  'Sports Illustrated didn't do justice to Serena's thighs but damn look @serenewilliams ankles.' 

However, other people questioned whether the athlete's smaller thighs were just the result of her losing weight. 

Triumphant 2015: Serena Williams, 34, was been named Sports Illustrated's 2015 Sportsperson of the Year and appeared on the magazine's cover in an image that sparked controversy across social media

Facing backlash: After the cover debuted on Monday, critics were quick to take to Twitter and accuse Sports Illustrated of 'Photoshopping' her thighs to make them appear significantly smaller

This Twitter user noted that she dislikes the cover because they made tennis star's 'thighs look nonexistent

'You are slaying on this cover! Your thighs look slimmer? Hope they didn't photoshop your thunder [sic],' one person wrote. 

Meanwhile, another asked: 'Wait did @serenawilliams lose weight or did @SInow photoshp her cuz i don't ever recall them thighs ever being that small [sic].'   

Both Sports Illustrated and Serena shared the cover photo on Instagram when it hit newsstands in December, and while the magazine called it a 'beautiful cover of an amazing athlete', Serena gushed about what an amazing years 2015 had been for her.

'This year was spectacular for me. For Sports Illustrated to recognize my hard work, my dedication, and my sheer determination gives me hope to continue on and do better,' she wrote. 

Making a joke: Meanwhile, this person tweeted that the magazine 'didn't do justice to Serena's thighs' 

'As I always say, it takes a village, it's not just one person. This is not just an accomplishment for me, but for my whole team. I am beyond honoured. I love you guys! 2016?'

Serena's Instagram post earned nearly 33,000 likes in just one hour, with followers lauding her for her achievements and inspiring tenacity.

In the feature, Sports Illustrated praised Serena not just for being considered by many to be the best female tennis player of all time, but for making headlines all year long in entertainment, pop culture, fashion, and even politics. 

Serena recently flaunted her legs by posing topless for the exclusive 2016 Pirelli Calendar, which saw a change this year as the 43rd edition features some of the world's most inspiring women.