Serena Williams has refused to rule out returning to professional tennis after recently filing the necessary paperwork.
Williams, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, retired after the 2022 US Open.
In December, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed to BBC Sport that the 44-year-old was back on the list of players registered for the drug testing pool.
At the time, the American said she was “not coming back”, but during an interview on the Today Show on Wednesday, Williams did not rule out stepping back on to the court.
“I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens,” Williams said.
Interviewer Savannah Guthrie pushed Williams further, saying, “That’s a maybe to me”, and the seven-time Wimbledon champion said, “It’s not a maybe”.
Williams, a mother of two, said she recently listed “stay-at-home mum” and “housewife” as her occupations on a form.
Asked whether she had re-entered the drug testing pool, Williams said, “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.”
Players are eligible to return to competition only after six months in the testing pool.
Williams’ name appeared on a document published by the ITIA on 6 October.
Every active player is subject to out-of-competition testing. But those in the testing pool, which is largely composed of the top 100 singles, doubles, and wheelchair players, as well as returning athletes, must let the testers know where they will be for one hour each day.
Williams return would be cool – Sabalenka
Speaking after she booked her spot in a fourth successive Australian Open final, world number one Aryna Sabalenka welcomed Williams’ comments.
“I heard that she’s enjoying her life, and whatever makes her happy, I’m happy for her,” said the Belarusian.
“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.”
Ukraine’s Elina Svitolina, who Sabalenka beat in the last four in Melbourne, said Williams’ return would be “amazing” for the sport.
“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,” she said.
‘Playing with Venus again may be motivating factor’
Russell Fuller, Tennis correspondent
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.
The suggestion that she may never have left the drug testing pool was classic Williams – it was cheekily disingenuous.
The ITIA’s list has been updated once since October, and December’s list still included her name.
Williams would not even be the oldest member of her family on the tour if she does return. Venus is 45, and the possibility of playing doubles with her sister one last time may be the motivating factor for Serena.
But for the definitive answer, you will have to stay tuned. Interest has been piqued, and the season finale may be some way away.
ByAnnabel Croft, Former British number one speaking on BBC Radio 5 Live
I don’t know what to make of it. I mean it is just extraordinary. When you think about what a wonderful career she’s had, and she now has two children and a wonderful, fulfilled life off the court.
She’s got so many engagements and projects on the go, but 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. We know that she’s put herself into that testing, so you have to do that for six months if you are going to compete – of course, that’s got all the tongues wagging.
Everybody is lifting their eyebrows as if to say, “Is Serena Williams really going to come back to the tour?”
I doubt very much whether she would want to play singles, but anything is possible with Serena Williams.
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