Djokovic Drops Truth Bomb on Serena’s Silence—And Predicts Wimbledon Return

Serbian legend fuels speculation, says 23-time Grand Slam champion is definitely coming back—just don’t expect her to announce it

 

 

 

Published: March 5, 2026 | 4 min read

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INDIAN WELLS — Novak Djokovic knows a thing or two about comebacks. And he knows a thing or two about Serena Williams.

So when the Serbian legend speaks on her potential return, the tennis world listens.

“I think she’s going to come back,” Djokovic said during a press conference at Indian Wells, where he’s preparing for the first Masters 1000 of the season.

“I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her, but I guess the feeling is that she’s going to come back. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don’t know.”

Then came the killer line:

“If I were in her position, I would hide it.”

Williams, 44, hasn’t competed since the 2022 US Open—or as she famously called it, her “evolution” away from tennis. But she’s never used the R-word. Retirement was always for others.

Since February 22, she’s been officially eligible to compete, having completed the ITIA’s six-month anti-doping requirements. The paperwork is done. The testing is cleared. The ball is in her court.

Yet silence.

Djokovic understands completely. Why announce anything when the speculation does the work for you?

“We’re all excited, and it’s certainly something to look forward to. So we’ll see.”

Where Will She Play?

 

Djokovic has a theory—and it involves grass, strawberries, and a certain sister.

“I would choose that tournament (Wimbledon) for her return, but I don’t know. I think she might play doubles with Venus.”

The logic is sound:

“It would be nice to see, just from my point of view and the fans’ point of view. She is one of the greatest sportswomen of all time, it would be great to have her back.”

Venus Speaks

 

Serena’s sister, Venus Williams, addressed the comeback speculation last summer in Washington. Her words now carry even more weight.

“I’m her biggest fan. I never wanted her to retire. I knew she would, and it took me a while to accept it.”

Venus admitted she doesn’t push for answers:

“I don’t ask those questions. I don’t ask her that. We always play tennis, because that’s what we are, we’re always hitting the ball. It’s a great cardio workout.”

But the longing is real:

“I always say to my team, the only thing that would make it better would be if she was here, like we always did, so of course I miss her.”

Then the kicker:

“But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let you know.”

The Evidence Mounts

 

The pattern is clear. Williams controls the narrative. She announces on her terms.

Djokovic has been through comebacks. He’s dealt with speculation, injury, pressure, and the weight of history. If anyone recognizes the signs, it’s him.

He sees a fellow legend at a crossroads—and he’s betting on a return.

“She’s one of the greatest sportswomen of all time. It would be great to have her back.”

And if she’s quiet about it? Smart move.

“I’d hide it too.”

Qatar Open Shock: No. 1 Seed Iga Swiatek Falls to Sakkari as Mboko Stuns Rybakina

World No. 2’s staggering 109-0 record in WTA 1000 matches after winning first set comes to a dramatic end in Doha quarter-finals

By Noah Langford
Reading Time: 4 mins

DOHA, Qatar — In a day of seismic shocks at the Qatar TotalEnergies Open, the women’s tennis landscape shifted dramatically as top seed Iga Swiatek and Australian Open champion Elena Rybakina were both dumped out in stunning quarter-final upsets on Thursday.

Maria Sakkari, ranked No. 52 and unseeded, clawed her way to a 2-6, 6-4, 7-5 victory over the three-time Doha champion—shattering Swiatek’s historic 109-0 record in WTA 1000 matches where she had won the first set .

Minutes later, 19-year-old Canadian sensation Victoria Mboko continued her meteoric rise, outmuscling Rybakina 7-5, 4-6, 6-4 to book her place in the semi-finals .

Sakkari’s Resurrection: “I’m Speechless”

For Maria Sakkari, Thursday’s victory was nearly five years in the making.

The 30-year-old Greek, who once sat at No. 3 in the world rankings in 2022, had lost four consecutive meetings with Swiatek since her last win in 2021. Her descent to No. 52 had been a humbling journey—but in Doha, she proved the class never truly fades.

“I’m speechless because it’s been a while since I’ve had a big win like today,” Sakkari said in her on-court interview. “When you drop in the rankings and you’re not playing good tennis, you start doubting yourself. You’re thinking you’re never gonna beat those players again. It’s a huge process you have to go through in your head.”

Swiatek, who won the Qatar Open in 2022, 2023, and 2024, started as if she would deliver another masterclass. She broke twice in the first set, sealing it in a dominant 33-minute display. But Sakkari, armed with renewed belief, refused to wilt .

The Greek broke early in the second set for a 2-0 lead. Swiatek responded, breaking in the seventh game, but Sakkari steadied herself and broke again in the tenth game to level the match—the first time in their seven meetings a contest between them had gone the distance .

The deciding set was a see-saw epic. Sakkari surged to a 5-2 lead and held a match point, only for Swiatek to summon her champion’s resolve, winning three straight games to level at 5-5. A disputed double-bounce call briefly disrupted Sakkari’s momentum, but she held her nerve .

“It’s very normal to get a little bit tight and stressed—especially when I haven’t witnessed those moments in a long time,” Sakkari admitted. “I’m just very happy that I managed to overcome myself in those last two games and come up with some great tennis, and some brave tennis.”

Sakkari held to love, then earned two more match points. On the third, Swiatek pushed a forehand volley into the net. The streak was over .

Source: Sports Illustrated

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Mboko Confirms Rising Star Status

If Sakkari’s victory was a resurrection, Victoria Mboko’s was a coronation.

The 19-year-old from Toronto, already a WTA 1000 champion at last year’s Canadian Open, delivered another statement performance against the world No. 3 and reigning Australian Open champion .

Mboko, the 10th seed, had already saved a match point to eliminate fifth seed Mirra Andreeva in a third-set tie-break just 24 hours earlier. Against Rybakina, she showed no signs of fatigue .

Three service breaks powered Mboko’s opening-set win. Rybakina moved ahead 5-3, but Mboko held serve and broke again to level at 5-5, then clinched the set with her third break .

Rybakina, who had fought back from a set down against Olympic champion Zheng Qinwen in the previous round, responded in the second. She broke early for a 3-1 lead, survived Mboko’s response to level at 3-3, and broke again to serve out the set 6-4 .

But the Canadian had the final word.

In the deciding set, Mboko sealed the match with her sixth service break of the contest. After jumping to a 40-0 lead in the 10th game, she saw Rybakina fight back to deuce—but the teenager held her nerve, taking the next two points to complete the stunning upset .

“I feel like I came out with some very clutch shots at the end,” Mboko said. “I think we both were pretty tired when it came to the tie-break. I think I felt like I was lucky enough to have some good shots in the great moments.”

Source: CTV News / The Canadian Press

The victory lifts Mboko, who entered the tournament at a career-high ranking of No. 13, into the top 10 for the first time. Her 2026 record now stands at an impressive 12-3 .

What’s Next: Semi-Final Line-Up Takes Shape

Maria Sakkari will face either 14th-seeded Czech Karolina Muchova or unseeded Russian Anna Kalinskaya in Saturday’s semi-finals—her first WTA 1000 semi-final appearance since 2024 .

Victoria Mboko advances to face two-time Doha finalist Jelena Ostapenko, the 2017 French Open champion who defeated Italy’s Elisabetta Cocciaretto 7-5, 6-4 .

For Swiatek, the defeat ends her quest for a fourth consecutive Doha title and snaps an astonishing streak that underscored her dominance at this level. For Rybakina, the focus shifts to recovery, with three more majors still ahead in the 2026 season.

But in Doha, the story belongs to the underdogs—and to the teenager from Toronto who continues to announce herself as a genuine force in the women’s game.