Tennis icon Serena Williams has sent shockwaves through the sporting community by suggesting her professional career might not be definitively over. The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who last competed at the 2022 US Open, made the tantalising comments during an appearance on the American Today show.
Awkward Exchange Sparks Comeback Speculation
During a revealing interview with host Savannah Guthrie, Williams found herself confronted with pointed questions about her future in tennis. The conversation took an unexpected turn when Guthrie referenced Williams' decision to re-enter the sport's drug testing pool in October 2025, a move that typically indicates competitive intentions.
'I had to ask whether you will go back to playing professionally,' Guthrie pressed the sporting legend. Williams appeared genuinely surprised by the directness of the question, responding with evident astonishment: 'Really? Are you asking me that on the Today show? Oh my gosh. Really?'
Non-Committal Response Fuels Rumours
When pressed for a definitive answer, Williams offered an intriguingly ambiguous response that has since ignited widespread speculation. 'I'm just having fun and enjoying my life right now,' she explained, before adding the crucial qualifier: 'That's not a yes or a no. I don't know. I'm just gonna see what happens.'
This carefully non-committal statement represents a significant shift from previous assumptions about her retirement status. Williams, now 44, last played a professional match at the 2022 US Open where she was defeated by Australian star Ajla Tomljanović in a hard-fought three-set encounter.
Testing Pool Entry Seen as Telling Sign
The tennis world had already been buzzing about Williams' potential return since she rejoined the registered drug testing pool last year. Former champion turned commentator Jim Courier recently highlighted the significance of this administrative move, suggesting it strongly indicates competitive intentions.
'No person without intentions to play professional tennis is going to put themselves on that list,' Courier told Wide World of Sports, referencing the strict requirements that include being available for testing with just one hour's notice through a dedicated application.
Unparalleled Career Achievements
Williams stands as the most decorated female major champion in the open era, with her last Grand Slam victory coming at Wimbledon in 2018. Her most recent Australian Open triumph occurred in 2017, though she reached the semi-finals in 2021 before losing to eventual champion Naomi Osaka.
The sporting icon's potential return would represent one of the most remarkable comebacks in tennis history, given her age and the length of her absence from competitive play. Her ambiguous comments have left fans and analysts eagerly awaiting further developments, with many interpreting her drug testing pool registration as the strongest indicator that we haven't seen the last of Serena Williams on the professional circuit.
