Serena Williams has refused to rule out making 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 branded her departure as “evolving away” from the sport rather than a retirement.
Williams brushed off speculation in December she was considering a comeback despite re-entering the sport’s drug testing pool. But the 23-time grand slam singles champion was not as dismissive about a return in an interview on NBC’s The Today Show.
“Really, are you asking this on the Today Show? Oh, my goodness,” Williams said when she was 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 gonna see what happens.
“I have two kids. I’m a full-time stay at home [mother]. When I filled out a form the other day. Occupation? [I wrote] housewife.”
Pushed on whether she had re-entered the drug testing pool, Williams replied: “Did I re-enter? I don’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this.”
The world No 1, Aryna Sabalenka, who on Thursday reached the Australian Open final, welcomed the possibility of a Williams return.
“I heard that she’s enjoying her life and, whatever makes her happy, I’m happy for her,” said Sabalenka. “If she wants to come back, that’s her decision. It’s going to be fun to see her back on tour. She’s got the personality, and she’s a fun one. It will be cool.”
In December, when news broke that Williams had re-entered the drug testing pool she tweeted: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
There had been speculation Williams could reunite with her sister Venus, who is still playing on tour, for a doubles tournament.