Serena Williams has refused to rule out a shock return to tennis. The 44-year-old has not played professional tennis since losing to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, although she labeled her departure as a “moving away” from the sport rather than a retirement.
Williams brushed aside speculation in December that she was considering a comeback, despite her return to the sport’s drug testing pool. But the 23-time grand slam singles champion wasn’t so dismissive about a return in an interview on NBC’s The Today Show.
“Really, you’re asking this on the Today Show? Oh, my goodness,” Williams said when asked about a comeback. “I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now. That’s not a yes or no. I don’t know. I’m just going to see what happens.”
“I have two children, I am at home full time [mother]. When I recently filled out a form. Occupation? [I wrote] housewife.”
When asked if she had re-entered the drug testing pool, Williams responded, “Did I re-enter? I don’t know if I was out. Look, I can’t discuss this.”
World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka, who reached the Australian Open final on Thursday, welcomed the possibility of Williams’ return.
“I heard she is enjoying her life and whatever makes her happy, I am happy for her,” Sabalenka said. “If she wants to come back, that’s her decision. It’ll be fun to see her on tour again. She’s got the personality, and she’s fun. It’ll be cool.”
In December, when news broke that Williams had been reinstated into the drug testing pool, she tweeted: “Omg everyone, I am NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
There was speculation that Williams could reunite with her sister Venus, who is still playing on tour, for a doubles tournament.
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