Will Serena Williams Play Tennis Again? News Is Unclear

There is talk about Serena Williams possibly returning to play tennis. Some signs suggest it could happen, like her joining a testing program. However, she has also said she is not planning a comeback. More news is needed to know for sure.
By Newsroom | Tennis, Sports |

The status of tennis legend Serena Williams' potential return to professional tennis remains a subject of public discussion and media speculation. While Williams has engaged in public dialogue regarding a comeback, including recent media appearances and social media statements, a definitive confirmation of her return to competitive play is absent. Her re-entry into the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) anti-doping program has been noted, a step required for any player seeking to compete, yet this action has not been directly linked to an imminent return.

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Background and Timeline of Events

Serena Williams, a decorated athlete with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, stepped away from professional tennis approximately three years ago, concluding her career at the US Open. Since then, her public presence has largely shifted to other endeavors. However, recent developments have fueled discussions about a potential return to the court:

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  • December 2025: Reports emerged suggesting Serena Williams had quietly reopened the possibility of a return to tennis. This followed her name appearing on the ITIA's Registered Testing Pool.

  • December 2025: Simultaneously, some media outlets published reports indicating that Williams had no plans to return to tennis, citing her social media activity.

  • January 2026: Williams addressed rumors of a comeback during an appearance on NBC's "TODAY" show. Her remarks were described as non-committal, with some interpreting them as a refusal to rule out a return, while others noted she had previously stated she was "NOT coming back."

Evidence and Public Statements

Information regarding Serena Williams' potential comeback is drawn from various media reports, interviews, and her own public statements.

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  • ITIA Anti-Doping Program: Williams' inclusion in the ITIA's Registered Testing Pool has been a key piece of information, as outlined by multiple sources. This program requires athletes to provide whereabouts information for out-of-competition drug testing.

  • Inclusion in the testing pool is a prerequisite for competition, but does not confirm an intent to compete.

  • Social Media Activity: Williams has used social media to address rumors.

  • A statement attributed to Williams, "Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-," has been reported by several outlets, indicating a strong denial of an immediate return.

  • Media Interviews: Her participation in interviews has also contributed to the ongoing discourse.

  • During an interview on the "TODAY" show, when asked about a comeback, Williams reportedly responded with a laugh and evasive remarks, as noted in reports from Tennis.com and The Independent.

  • Her responses in these interviews appear to have been interpreted in differing ways by various news organizations.

Interpretations of Williams' Stance

The nature of Williams' communications has led to varied interpretations regarding her intentions.

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Signals of Potential Return

Some reports and commentators point to actions and statements that could suggest an openness to a comeback.

  • Re-entry into Testing Pool: The most concrete action cited is her inclusion in the ITIA's Registered Testing Pool, a necessary step for any athlete intending to compete.

  • This move, though not a definitive announcement, signifies a procedural step towards potential competition.

  • Ambiguous Interview Responses: Her behavior and words during recent interviews have been characterized as not definitively shutting the door on a return, leading some to believe a comeback remains a possibility.

  • The lack of a firm "no" in some public exchanges has been framed as leaving room for speculation.

  • Training Partner's Comments: Reports from Mirror.co.uk and Tennis365.com mention a training partner speaking out about her potential return and an "emerging date," though specific details on the partner and the date remain somewhat generalized in the available data.

Statements of Non-Return

Conversely, other reports and Williams' own direct statements emphasize that she is not planning a return.

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  • Direct Social Media Denial: Williams' explicit social media posts stating she is "NOT coming back" are presented as clear evidence against a return.

  • These direct denials contrast with the inferences drawn from other actions or statements.

  • Former Coach's Perspective: Patrick Mouratoglou, Williams' former coach, has offered a nuanced view. He suggests that while she might be keeping her options open, she would likely only return if she believed she could compete at the highest level.

  • Mouratoglou's comments introduce a conditional element, suggesting a return is not guaranteed even if the possibility exists.

Expert and Former Coach Commentary

Insights from individuals close to Williams' career offer further perspective on the situation.

  • Patrick Mouratoglou's View:

    "But again, I don't know her plans. So maybe it crossed her mind, and maybe she opened that opportunity."

    Mouratoglou, her long-time coach, indicated that while Williams may have contemplated a return and taken preliminary steps, her ultimate decision would depend on her competitive readiness.

  • His assessment suggests a strategic consideration rather than an immediate or decided return.

Conclusion and Implications

The available information indicates that Serena Williams is in a period where her potential return to professional tennis is being actively discussed, primarily due to her re-entry into the ITIA's anti-doping program. However, direct statements from Williams herself, particularly on social media, have explicitly denied such plans. Media interpretations of her interviews remain varied, with some seeing her non-committal responses as keeping the door open, while others focus on her clear statements of not returning.

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  • Next Steps: Further clarity would likely come from a direct, unambiguous statement from Serena Williams herself or her official representatives. Until then, the status of her comeback remains subject to ongoing speculation.

  • Implications: The continued discussion highlights the enduring public interest in Williams' career and her impact on the sport. Any confirmed return would undoubtedly generate significant global attention.

Sources

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Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Has Serena Williams said she is coming back to tennis?
No, she has not said for sure. She said on social media that she is NOT coming back, but also gave unclear answers in an interview.
Q: Why do people think she might come back?
She joined a special testing program for athletes who want to compete. This is a step needed to play again.
Q: What did her former coach say?
Her former coach said she might have thought about returning and took steps, but it depends if she feels she can play at her best.
Q: When did she stop playing tennis?
She stopped playing professional tennis about three years ago, after the US Open.