Tennis legend Serena Williams has fueled speculation about a potential comeback, refusing to rule out a return to professional tennis while speaking on a television show on Wednesday.
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, now 44 and a mother of two, has not competed since a third-round exit at the 2022 US Open. Yet her recent re-entry into the tennis anti-doping testing pool in December sparked renewed rumours of a return, though Williams has previously denied making a comeback.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” Williams said when asked about returning to the court.
Pressed further on whether that was a yes or no, she added: “That’s not a yes or a no. I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.”
When asked why she rejoined the drug-testing program, Williams was noncommittal: “Did I re-enter? I didn’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this.”
Williams’ sister, Venus, 45, recently competed at the Australian Open on a wildcard entry but was knocked out in the first round. Venus also returned to competitive tennis in July, playing tournaments in Auckland and Hobart after almost two years away.
Former world number one Jim Courier, now a commentator, highlighted the rigours of rejoining the anti-doping testing pool, noting it requires athletes to provide detailed availability for six months of testing before they can compete.
“No person that doesn’t have intentions to play professional tennis is going to put themselves in that list, especially someone who has as much experience doing it as Serena Williams,” Courier said.
“Serena denied in December that she’s coming back, but I think unless she gets injured there is no doubt she’s going to play somewhere at some point,” Courier added. “Whether that’s mixed doubles at the US Open, doubles with her sister somewhere, or singles, only she knows. But there’s no other way to interpret that.”
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