Serena Williams could be set for a stunning return to tennis, having last competed at the 2022 US Open.
Williams would be a genuine threat should she decide to come back to tennis, which she can do from February 22nd.
She will have completed her six months back in the tennis testing pool by that stage, making her available for WTA competition.
Williams could return at Indian Wells, but arguably a more fitting return is on the cards before that alongside Venus Williams.
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Serena Williams could play doubles with Venus Williams in Austin
Venus Williams has received a wildcard for the ATX Open in Austin, Texas, which starts on February 23rd.
She is playing both singles and doubles at the WTA 250 tournament, with American teenage sensation Iva Jovic having represented Williams’ ideal partner in the latter.
But Jovic has now been replaced in that regard by Serena Williams, who can intriguingly make her comeback a day before the doubles competition starts.
It is seemingly written in the stars for the Williams sisters to reunite in Serena’s first match back, with Venus’ partner yet to be confirmed.
Along with the Merida Open in Mexico, the ATX Open kicks off the start of the Sunshine Swing, and is already filled with home talent.
Jovic, McCartney Kessler, Peyton Stearns and defending champion Jessica Pegula are all signed up for the tournament.
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Williams should feel right at home in Texas, although perhaps she will be eyeing a more blockbuster return to tennis, as opposed to a WTA 250 comeback.
The Sunshine Swing reaches its climax immediately after the ATX Open, with Indian Wells followed by the Miami Open.
Both are WTA 1000 events, and either could be targeted as the perfect return for the 23-time Grand Slam champion.
Of course, it is all hypothetical at this stage, but the fact that Williams re-entered the testing pool strongly suggests a comeback is imminent.
Moreover, not many tennis fans expected Venus to return to the court, but she’s been a regular fixture on the WTA Tour since her high-profile comeback last summer.
The 45-year-old has been making use of the wildcard system of late, and her 44-year-old sister may just do the same should she make a remarkable return to the sport she once dominated.
Meanwhile, their phenomenal doubles history simply needs no introduction, with the American sisters partnering to win all 14 of their Grand Slam finals.
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