Serena Williams caused quite the stir last week when she re-entered the doping protocols…
In doing so, the 23-time Grand Slam winner opened herself up for a return to tennis.
However, Williams later shut down any talks of a comeback, suggesting the wildfire created by the news was ‘crazy’.
Weighing in with his thoughts, Williams’ fellow American, Andy Roddick, made a very bold claim.
Andy Roddick thinks Serena Williams wants the option of returning to tennis
During the latest episode of ‘Served with Andy Roddick‘, the 2003 US Open champion gave his verdict on the story of the off-season.
“Obviously, the biggest story of the week is Serena Williams re-entering the doping protocols,” said Roddick.
“What that means, let me give you a personal story of this, as I learned about it over a decade ago now. People reading this might not know what that means. I retired, and I filled out the paperwork for retirement.
Would you be excited to watch Serena Williams in 2026?
“I’m assuming Serena did too, because you don’t have to re-enter doping protocols if you never left them.
“John McEnroe never actually retired, and so he could go back and play a professional tournament this week, but because I actually put in paperwork, I’d have to re-enter doping protocols for at least six months, or whatever that number is, a significant amount of time, if I wanted to play, even though we’re the same amount retired.
“It’s not like John McEnroe is on tour anymore, but he had those couple of tournaments where he said, ok, I‘ll do it.”
Roddick shared his thoughts on Williams’ decision to re-enter the doping protocols.
“It is significant,” he said.
“I’m sitting here as a retired player, living my life, with obviously no intention [of coming back], it’s not a reality for me, like it is for Serena.
“Serena could go out and win matches, Serena could go out and make a run to the second week of a Slam, I don’t think that would shock anyone.
“A lot of work between here and there, but that’s how I feel. I don’t think that’s a crazy thing to say.
“I’m sitting here as a retired person, and I’m not going, you know what, for no reason at all, I’d like to re-enter doping protocols.
“For no reason, I’d like to pee in a cup every once in a while, and I’d like to report my whereabouts all the time, I’d like to tell someone by email, if I’m going to Wilmington for a night, and give them my room number and address.
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“I would like to invite that back into my life, I obviously wouldn’t do that, because I have no ambitions of playing anymore.”
Roddick isn’t 100% sure why Williams would have re-entered the doping protocols if she isn’t at least considering a return to the WTA Tour.
“I love Serena, I’ve known her for a long time, since we were kids, I’m not saying she’s doing it because she knows she’s coming back,” he said.
“The reason you go back into doping protocols is that you like the option of coming back, and I don’t know how else to read this.
“I’m sure I’m going to get an angry email from someone saying I’m stoking the fire. Yep, I am.”
If Williams is considering a return, then the next question is, where and with whom will she make her comeback?
Never afraid to give his opinion, Roddick answered that question, too.
Serena Williams could return to play doubles with Venus Williams – Andy Roddick
Responding to his co-host, Jon Wertheim’s comments about Williams potentially competing at the 2028 Olympics, Roddick said this.
“I have two thoughts about the Olympics thing. One of the biggest things that’s happened in tennis and sports. With [Tom] Brady and LeBron James], the timeline for when a sunset of a career is here has been blown up,” he said.
“Venus [Williams] comes back at 45 and wins a match this summer, is playing fine, made a run at doubles at the US Open.
- Venus Williams/Leylah Fernandez lost in QF of 2025 US Open
“You just mentioned the Olympics two and a half years away like Serena isn’t 44, that’s insane, yeah it’s crazy.
“But the most innocent version of speculation, I don’t believe this is the only option that she’s interested in, but Venus played great, she played really well in doubles, she and Leylah Fernandez were phenomenal at the US Open…
“Maybe she’s going, you know who else is pretty good? Maybe there’s a world where Venus is eventually going to stop playing. What better way to celebrate than next to your sister?
“Pure conjecture, I don’t know anything…”
It would certainly be interesting to see the sisters partner up one last time, although Venus Williams didn’t think Serena Williams would return when asked recently.
“All I know is that I can’t get her on the court. She doesn’t practice,” she said.
Only time will tell if Williams will return to tennis, but it will certainly be something to look out for in 2026.
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