23-time Grand Slam champion refuses to rule out return, leaves tennis world guessing—and world No.1 Sabalenka says “it will be cool”

Serena Williams is back in the news. Back in the testing pool. And back to doing what she does best: keeping everyone guessing.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion refused to rule out a return to professional tennis during an appearance on the Today Show Wednesday, sending the tennis world into yet another speculation frenzy .

When asked directly about her plans, the 44-year-old delivered a masterclass in evasion:

“I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.”

Interviewer Savannah Guthrie pressed: “That’s a maybe to me.”

Williams’ response? “It’s not a maybe.”

Clear as mud. Perfectly Serena.

 

The key detail: Williams’ name appeared on an ITIA document published October 6, 2025 . Players must spend six months in the testing pool before becoming eligible to compete .

That window closed in early April. She’s eligible now.

The “Housewife” Defense

 

During the interview, Williams revealed she recently listed her occupation on a form as “stay-at-home mom and housewife” .

When Guthrie asked directly if she’d re-entered the drug testing pool, Williams deflected with classic humor:

“I don’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this. If I want to put it [rumours] to bed… listen, I want to go to bed.”

The exchange was vintage Serena—playful, evasive, and impossible to pin down .

What the Players Say

 

Aryna Sabalenka, fresh off her Indian Wells triumph and engaged to be married, welcomed the prospect of Williams’ return.

“I heard that she’s enjoying her life, and whatever makes her happy, I’m happy for her. 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.”

Elina Svitolina, whom Sabalenka beat in the Australian Open semifinals, called a potential Williams comeback “amazing.”

“She’s such a great champion and achieved so much, did so much for our sport and been an inspiration for women around the world.”

The Venus Factor

BBC tennis correspondent Russell Fuller believes the possibility of playing doubles with sister Venus may be the real motivator.

“Williams was playfully evasive in her appearance on the Today show, but you can take the lack of a denial to mean the idea of a comeback has crystallised in her mind.”

Venus is 45 and still competing. The sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together. One last dance at the US Open? Wimbledon?

Fuller adds: “Williams would not even be the oldest member of her family on the tour if she does return.”

Annabel Croft, former British No.1 speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live, admitted even she doesn’t know what to make of it.

“I don’t know what to make of it. I mean it is just extraordinary. When you think what a wonderful career she’s had and she now has two children and a wonderful, fulfilled life off the court.”

Croft suspects doubles, not singles, would be the focus:

“I think we all think that it’s something to do with Venus Williams perhaps playing her last match at the US Open. Maybe she’s asked sister Serena whether she’d like to join her on court.”

Her conclusion: “I doubt very much whether she would want to play singles, but anything is possible with Serena Williams.”

Serena Williams is 44 years old. She’s a mother of two. She’s a venture capitalist, a fashion icon, and arguably the greatest tennis player ever.

She’s also back in the drug testing pool, eligible to compete, and refusing to say no.

The tennis world can speculate all it wants. Until Serena decides to speak—really speak—everyone’s just guessing.

And as Croft said: anything is possible with extraordinary Serena.

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.”

“She Would Kill It”: Serena’s Comeback Is Official – So Where Will the Queen Return?

After 4 years, 1 cryptic TikTok, and a lot of “nos” that weren’t really nos, Serena Williams is eligible. The speculation starts now.

 

 

 

February 22, 2026 | 6 min read

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The denial is dead. Long live the comeback.

Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion and arguably the greatest women’s tennis player ever, is now officially eligible to compete on the WTA Tour for the first time in nearly four years.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has listed Williams, 44, on its roster of reinstated players with an eligibility date of February 22, 2026.

The question is no longer if she’ll play. It’s where.

From “No” to “Maybe” to “Now”

 

Williams’ path back has been a masterclass in keeping everyone guessing.

The pattern is clear: Williams wants to control the narrative. She’ll announce on her terms. But the paperwork doesn’t lie.

Where Could She Play?

The answer: anywhere she wants. Williams will have zero issue securing wild cards. Tournaments will be lining up to offer her appearance fees that dwarf the prize money.

Singles or Doubles?

 

The 2022 Eastbourne playbook offers a clue.

That year, after a year out with injury, Williams eased back by playing only doubles at Eastbourne before returning to singles at Wimbledon a week later. Her partner? Ons Jabeur.

This time, the speculation is far more romantic.

Venus Williams, 45, has already returned to the tour. The sisters have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together. Three Olympic golds. A combined age of 99 chasing a 15th major?

That’s not just a comeback. That’s a story.

Alycia Parks, world No. 77, practiced with Williams recently and delivered a verdict that will terrify the tour:

“She is in great shape. So I think she would kill it on tour.”

Parks added that Williams hits regularly at her Florida home. The rust might be real, but the power? Still there.

Williams has spoken openly about taking GLP-1 medication, crediting it with reducing joint stress and making her feel healthier than during her career. She appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for telehealth company Ro (her husband Alexis Ohanian is an investor) advertising the drugs’ effectiveness.

WADA’s 2026 prohibited list does not include GLP-1s, though they remain in a “monitoring program.”

Players returning after childbirth? Court, Goolagong Cawley, Clijsters all won titles.

Players returning in their mid-40s? Martina Navratilova came back at 45 in 2002, won a match at Eastbourne, and later claimed three mixed doubles majors—including the US Open at 49.

Williams, at 44, has time to write her own chapter.

Her Last Match

September 2022. US Open third round. Ajla Tomljanovic.

Williams walked off Arthur Ashe Stadium for what everyone assumed was the last time. She’d beaten Danka Kovinic and No. 2 seed Anett Kontaveit. She’d waved. She’d cried. She’d “evolved away.”

Except she never used the R-word. Retirement was for others. Serena was just… evolving.

Now evolution is circling back.

No official announcement. No press conference. Just a TikTok serve, an ITIA listing, and a tennis world holding its breath.

Indian Wells starts March 4. Miami follows. The French, Wimbledon, the US Open—they’re all waiting.

The question isn’t whether Serena Williams will play again.

It’s whether anyone can stop her.

“It’s Official”: Serena Williams Reinstated, Comeback Confirmed After 4-Year Retirement

23-time Grand Slam champion clears final hurdle, eligible to compete immediately as tennis world erupts

 

February 23, 2026 | 4 min read

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The wait is over. The speculation ends now.

Serena Williams has officially been reinstated as an active player by the International Tennis Integrity Agency, confirming the comeback that tennis fans have dreamed about since she stepped away in 2022.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion is no longer listed among retired players on the ITIA website. She has fulfilled the required period of drug-testing availability. She is eligible to compete. Immediately.

Tennis journalist Ben Rothenberg celebrated the news with a declaration that captured the mood:

“Happy Serena Williams Reinstatement Day.”

February 22, 2026, will now be remembered as the date Williams moved off the retired list and back into the active player pool.

The ITIA first confirmed to BBC Sport in December that Williams had rejoined the registered drug-testing pool. That required daily whereabouts filings and out-of-competition testing—obligations reserved strictly for players planning to compete.

Now the paperwork is complete. The testing period is served. The comeback is official.

Timeline

This wasn’t a snap decision. Williams has been planning this for months.

The tennis world now asks: Where will she play?

Venus Williams has already received a wildcard for Indian Wells, though she’s currently expected to play doubles with Leylah Fernandez. That plan just got a lot more complicated.

What Her Former Coach Says

 

Rick Macci, who coached a young Serena and Venus, believes the physical tools remain elite.

“Her biomechanics and serve remain world-class,” Macci said. Indian Wells or Miami are “realistic venues” for her return.

The serve alone—widely regarded as one of the most effective weapons in tennis history—could carry her deep into draws even at 44.

Williams already owns one of the most dominant resumes in sports history:

The one number missing? 24. Margaret Court’s all-time record.

That’s the carrot. That’s why she’s back.

Serena and Venus together won 14 major doubles titles and three Olympic golds. The thought of them reuniting on court in 2026 is enough to give tennis fans chills.

Indian Wells. Miami. Maybe even Wimbledon.

The Williams sisters, together again, chasing one more dance.

 

Serena Williams is back. Not “considering a comeback.” Not “in talks.” Back.

The paperwork is done. The testing is complete. The eligibility is official.

Now the only question left: Who’s brave enough to face her?

Serena Williams Says Weight Loss Drug Made Her Healthier Than During Tennis Career

23-time Grand Slam champion credits GLP-1 medication for lowering cholesterol, stabilizing blood sugar, and reducing joint stress

 

 

By Aria Bendix
NBC News
Published: January 30, 2026 | 3 min read

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NEW YORK — Serena Williams has achieved something remarkable: at 44, she says she’s healthier than she ever was during her record-breaking tennis career.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion revealed in an interview with NBC News that a GLP-1 weight loss medication has transformed her health metrics—lowering her cholesterol, steadying her blood sugar, and reducing stress on her injury-prone knees.

“Some of these numbers are from when I was literally winning Grand Slams. So it wasn’t like I was just playing tennis. I was dominating,” Williams said.

Her cholesterol drop is particularly striking. The average GLP-1 user sees only a 5% decrease in total cholesterol—Williams achieved six times that.

Why She Started

 

Williams announced in August 2025 that she had begun taking a GLP-1 receptor agonist—the class of drugs that includes Ozempic, Wegovy, and Zepbound. Her decision was driven by multiple factors:

• Family history of diabetes, which disproportionately affects Black Americans

• Knee injuries that plagued her career and could be eased by weight loss

• Inability to lose weight through diet and exercise alone, even during her peak playing days

“Sometimes, no matter what you do, no matter how many steps you take, how many miles you run, you just can’t get over that hump. I know that for a fact. As a woman, as I age, I definitely couldn’t get over that hump.”

Williams’ announcement came as part of a campaign with Ro, a telehealth company that prescribes GLP-1 medications. Her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian, is an investor in Ro and serves on its board.

Williams made clear she views the medication as permanent.

“It’s a lifetime thing.”

Stopping GLP-1 drugs often leads to weight regain—an average of 10 pounds in the first year after discontinuation, according to studies.

Health Scare Averted

 

Beyond aesthetics, Williams emphasized the serious health implications.

“I was at risk for heart disease, and I didn’t even know that. That’s kind of scary, and that’s the No. 1 thing that kills Americans. So I could have been a statistic.”

Heart disease remains the leading cause of death in the U.S. Black adults are 54% more likely to die from cardiovascular disease than white adults, according to a 2023 study.

When asked on the TODAY show whether she plans to return to professional tennis, Williams kept the door slightly ajar:

“It’s not a yes or a no. I’ll see what happens.”

For now, she’s focused on a different kind of longevity—one measured not in Grand Slams, but in years.