Serena Williams is rumored to be considering a comeback to professional tennis…
The 23-time Grand Slam champion re-entered the anti-doping test pool late last year, opening the door for a potential comeback.
As the world reacted to the news, Williams denied that she was coming back, but fans weren’t convinced.
You can bring one tennis legend out of retirement. Who do you pick and why?
Many believe the former world number one is planning to return at the 2026 US Open to play doubles with her sister, Venus Williams.
The odds of her returning just shortened, as it has now been confirmed that Williams has been on the practice courts with a top-100 player.
Alycia Parks confirms she has been practising with Serena Williams
During an interview with ‘Tennis Majors‘, world number 85, Alycia Parks, said the following about Williams.
“I actually practiced with her last Monday,” said Parks.
“And I messaged her yesterday. She’s definitely a good mentor to me, and she’s helped me a lot, especially in my practices.”
Parks then suggested whether Williams could still compete on the WTA Tour, having witnessed her level firsthand.
“She is in great shape,” said Parks.
“So I think she would kill it on tour.”
It’s not at all outrageous to think that Williams (44) could still win matches today.
After all, her older sister, Venus Williams (45), has impressed recently.
Venus Williams since returning in 2025
| Match | Discipline | Partner | Opponent(s) | Result | Score |
| 2025 Washington Open 1R | Singles | – | Peyton Stearns | WIN | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2025 Washington Open 2R | Singles | – | Magdalena Frech | LOSS | 2-6, 2-6 |
| 2025 Washington Open 1R | Doubles | Hailey Baptiste | Eugenie Bouchard/Clervie Ngounoue | WIN | 6-3, 6-1 |
| 2025 Washington Open QF | Doubles | Hailey Baptiste | Taylor Townsend/Zhang Shuai | LOSS | 4-6, 6-3, 6-10 |
| 2025 Cincinnati Open 1R | Singles | – | Jessica Bouzas Maneiro | LOSS | 4-6, 4-6 |
| 2025 US Open 1R | Singles | – | Karolina Muchova | LOSS | 3-6, 6-2, 1-6 |
| 2025 US Open 1R | Mixed doubles | Reilly Opelka | Andrey Rublev/Karolina Muchova | LOSS | 2-4, 4-5 |
| 2025 US Open 1R | Doubles | Leylah Fernandez | Lyudmyla Kichenok/Ellen Perez | WIN | 7-6, 6-3 |
| 2025 US Open 2R | Doubles | Leylah Fernandez | Eri Hozumi/Ulrikke Eikeri | WIN | 7-6, 6-1 |
| 2025 US Open 3R | Doubles | Leylah Fernandez | Ekaterina Alexandrova/Zhang Shuai | WIN | 6-3, 6-4 |
| 2025 US Open QF | Doubles | Leylah Fernandez | Taylor Townsend/Katerina Siniakova | LOSS | 1-6, 2-6 |
| 2026 ASB Classic 1R | Singles | – | Magda Linette | LOSS | 4-6, 6-4, 2-6 |
| 2026 ASB Classic 1R | Doubles | Elina Svitolina | Alexandra Eala/Iva Jovic | LOSS | 6-7, 1-6 |
| 2026 Hobart International 1R | Singles | – | Tatjana Maria | LOSS | 4-6, 3-6 |
| 2026 Australian Open 1R | Singles | – | Olga Danilovic | LOSS | 7-6, 3-6, 4-6 |
| 2026 Australian Open 1R | Doubles | Ekaterina Alexandrova | Elsa Jaquemot/Emiliana Arango | LOSS | 6-7, 4-6 |
Despite being 10-15 years older than most of her opponents, Williams won a singles match and several doubles.
She’s also looked impressive in defeat, pushing Karolina Muchova and Olga Danilovic to a deciding third set at the US Open and Australian Open.
Perhaps her sister felt inspired watching the seven-time Grand Slam champion battle today’s WTA stars…
It remains to be seen if Williams will decide to return to tennis, but it will certainly be something to keep an eye on.
What happened the last time Serena Williams played tennis?
Williams last played a professional tennis tournament at the 2022 US Open.
The American had played a handful of events leading into the event, picking up one singles win, against Nuria Parrizas-Diaz at the Canadian Open.
Sum up Serena Williams’ career in one word
But as she so often did, Williams turned up in New York and found another level.
Debuting on Arthur Ashe Stadium, Williams made light work of Montenegro’s Danka Kovinic in the first round, winning 6-3, 6-3.
Then, she produced one of the shocks of the tournament in round two.
In three sets, Williams defeated the number-two seed, Anett Kontaveit, 7-6, 2-6, 6-2.
Picking up the 178th top-10 win of her professional career, Williams announced herself as a genuine title contender.
Looking to advance to the fourth round, she met Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic next.
Williams was competitive in the first set, but fell behind 5-7.
Refusing to retire without a fight, Williams fought back brilliantly to force a decider, much to the delight of the fans in attendance.
It was in the third and deciding set that Williams’ career came to an end, however, as she lost to Tomljanovic, 5-7, 7-6, 1-6.
But was that really her last match?
Only time will tell.
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