Serena Williams continues to have speculation surrounding her rumoured return to tennis.
Williams retired at the 2022 US Open, or so it seemed as she emotionally waved farewell to the New York crowd.
However, after it was spotted that she had re-entered the drug testing pool, rumours started circulating that Williams would be returning.
There were suggestions that Serena could be coming back for Venus Williams’ retirement next year, but former top 10 player Jack Sock has a different theory.
John Isner thinks Serena Williams might be ‘annoyed’ about return rumours
Despite taking to social media to deny the rumours, people including a current WTA player do not believe Williams’ claim.
This is similar to former Wimbledon semifinalist John Isner, who believes Williams could be annoyed by the way her potential return has already been discovered.
Isner also echoed the explanation of many others and was unsure of any other reason Williams would re-enter the drug testing pool without wanting to return, but suggested that it does not definitely mean she will make a comeback.
“I think she is a little bit annoyed but she has to understand that someone is going to get a hold of that somehow,” Isner said on the Nothing Major podcast. “But she is Serena Williams. She is always under the spotlight. To me it’s like why would you put yourself back in the drug testing pool.
“I’m not saying she is definitively coming back, but maybe she is just leaving the door open to possibly come back in some form or fashion.
“Maybe it’s just doubles, who knows? I think for her she is like if I decide to come back it’s there for me. I am back in the drug testing pool. It does not mean I am coming back definitively but I do have that opportunity.
“It’s like a six months you have to re-enter it. She will be eligible right away, so she is just getting her ducks in a row, in case she does want to come back.
“It does not mean that she is, maybe she is still trying to figure that out. But I saw her post on X and she said guys chill out, I’m not coming back. She is trying to deny it and hopefully it goes away a little bit.”
Would you be excited to watch Serena Williams in 2026?
Jack Sock suggests tournament Serena Williams could be returning for
After Isner spoke about Williams’ reasoning for re-entering the drug testing pool, himself, Sam Querrey, Steve Johnson and the aforementioned Sock answered the question of whether they think she will actually play a tournament in 2026.
Despite speculating over her return, Isner was the only person out of the four who does not believe Williams will play next year.
Sock believes Williams will play at least one tournament next year, but speculated that this could all be in preparation for the LA Olympics in 2028.
Querrey: Yes
Johnson: 100%. You don’t put yourself back in the drug testing pool not to do it.
Sock: Yes. For sure. I think with the 2028 LA Olympics maybe looming around in a couple of years this could be part of that as well.
Isner: I am saying no.
Sum up Serena Williams’ career in one word
Williams has played at four Olympics in her career, winning four gold medals, one in singles and three in doubles alongside older sister Venus, but she has never competed at a home Games.
Novak Djokovic has spoken about wanting to play the 2028 Olympics, and if Serena were also to compete in LA then it could make for an incredible Games.
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