Serena Williams Refuses to Put Down Tennis Comeback Rumors: “Not a Yes or a No”

Serena Williams has not played a competitive match since retiring from the tour in 2022.

Serena Williams Refuses to Put Down Tennis Comeback Rumors: “Not a Yes or a No”

Serena Williams

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Serena Williams has fueled speculations that she could make a sensational comeback to tour after she refused to rule out coming out of retirement when asked directly during a recent interview. The American legend has never played a professional tennis match since retiring in 2022 at the Australian Open.

Last December, Williams sparked rumors of a comeback after reports revealed that she had re-entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)’s International Registered Testing Pool (RTP). Players must be in the pool to be qualified to play in any tournament on tour or in the ITF tournament lists.

Also, players on the IRTP need to inform the ITIA about their whereabouts every day of the year through the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA). By being on the list, players give the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) permission to conduct no-notice, out-of-competition testing as part of the Tennis Anti-Doping Programme (TADP).

On the ITIA website, it is stated that players will not be allowed to return to tour unless they have made themselves available for out-of-competition testing for at least six months before the event they hope to feature in. Williams has not featured since 2022 and she’s currently a mother of two daughters.

With the rumors surrounding her return to tennis yet to completely dwindle, Williams appeared on the Today Show. She was asked by host Savannah Guthrie about her potential comeback to tour. Williams noted that she’s currently enjoying her retirement:

I mean, really? Are you asking this on the Today show? Is that a no (laughs)? I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now.

Guthrie then pressed Williams to give a specific answer to the question, suggesting that she leaves too much room for doubts about her potential comeback. At one time, she asked why she re-entered the ITIA’s International Registered Testing Pool (ITP):

I don’t know, I’m just gonna see what happens. That’s not a maybe. Listen, I have two kids. I’m a full-time stay at home… when I filled out a form the other day, occupation: housewife. Did I re-enter? I don’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this (laughs). If I want to put it to bed… Listen, I want to go to bed — it’s early.

Williams has become a businesswoman since leaving the sport. The last time she was seen at a tennis event was at the Miami Open last year. She met with Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray at the tournament. Djokovic finished as runner-up in the Masters 1000 event after losing to Jakub Mensik.

Serena Williams volunteers to show Coco Gauff how to smash a racket properly

Coco Gauff’s post-match behavior at the Australian Open has gotten the attention of the tennis world. The American star was seen smashing her racket against a ramp in a walkway after losing 1-6, 2-6 to Elina Svitolina in the quarter-finals of the first Grand Slam of the season. The American No.1 noted during her press conference that the moment was meant to be a private one.

Serena Williams, Coco Gauff
Serena Williams, Coco Gauff (Image via X/Taylor Swift Charts+, Jimmie48 Photography)

Iga Swiatek, Amanda Anisimova, and Jannik Sinner have come to her support, Gauff, stressing that players need their privacy. However, Serena Williams reacted to Gauff’s statement on X, saying that players care matters, while stating that she’s willing to teach Gauff how to destroy her racket with just one swing:

Passion. Caring. Matters. Nothing wrong with hating to lose. Now Coco when you want I can show you how to demolish in one swipe… Serena style.

Svitolina crashed out of the Australian Open in the semi-finals after losing to Aryna Sabalenka in straight sets. The Ukrainian star had enjoyed an amazing run at the tournament and was unbeatable this year before facing Sabalenka.

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