"If Serena puts her mind to something, no one’s going to argue that she can’t do it" - Davenport questions why Williams on anti-doping protocol if not making comeback

Serena Williams is back into the news once more after rumours of her return to the sport she once bossed for years have gone back into overdrive. Whether these are true only she will know, but that has not stopped many tennis pundits from discussing this possible fate.

On the Tennis Channel, the likes of Martina Navratilova, Lindsay Davenport and Prakash Amritraj discussed the possibility of this incredible story. It all started with the 23-time Grand Slam champion relisting on the ITIA’s Registered Testing Pool, which is how players who have retired can get back into the sport with doping protocols utilised.

After instantly shutting down rumours from the off, she recently appeared in an interview on the Today Show, where she would refuse to give a certified yes or no when repeatedly being asked on whether she was returning to the sport.

"Serena has always been great at many things, and she’s also very good at deflecting," Navratilova began, picking up on this interview. "Maybe she should be a politician. That was a real non-answer answer — she did not answer the question. You only go back into the anti-doping pool because you want to play something, but she’s keeping it very tight. She’s playing it close to the vest. It would be great if she played. "

This question was looked at by Davenport, with her not understanding why she was back on there if a comeback was not in her interest. "There’s no reason you would go back into the anti-doping protocol unless you were coming back," she noted. "She probably wanted to announce it on her own terms and make her own splash. Unfortunately, that list is made public."

The three-time Grand Slam champion gave some context to the situation. "She took her name out of the list in September 2022 and put her name back in August 2025. When you put your name back in the pool, every single day you have to log into an app and give doping officers one hour where they know exactly where you’re going to be. They can knock on your door during that hour, and you have to be available to test. You would never do that to yourself if you weren’t serious about coming back."

Her return could come very soon. "She’s eligible, I believe, by the end of February if she continues to stay in the protocol. So the chances are very strong that we’re going to see her again — or at least that she wants to give herself the chance to return to tennis."

There has been some clips going around on social media with Williams back out on the court, with many noting what good condition she is currently in. "Looking at Serena now, she’s in some of the best shape we’ve seen her in for quite some time," Amritraj stated. "We saw her striking the ball the other day. If she’s in great shape, has some hunger, and is striking the ball well, I say go for it. Tennis is already in a great place right now. Injecting a little Serena into it would be unreal."

This claim was backed up by the 18-time Grand Slam champion. "Physically, she looks fantastic — honestly, much better than she did when she was actually playing toward the end. Of course, it gets harder as you get older, but if anybody can do it, it’s Serena."

Davenport also brought up the possibility of her doing it for family reasons, with her kids now getting to the age to see their mother go back out and compete on the WTA Tour.

"She did that documentary series about her comeback, and one episode focused on how much of a struggle it was for her to get back into playing shape after giving birth to Olympia," Davenport said. "That was a real challenge for her. Right now, she looks great, and that probably helps her movement and overall health."

Amritraj added to this. "A lot of tennis parents talk about how, once their kids are old enough to really appreciate it, it becomes meaningful. Olympia is older now. Adira is still very young, but being able to share that experience and understanding with your kids would be pretty special. And if Serena puts her mind to something, no one’s going to argue that she can’t do it."

Whatever scenery or category the American is cherishing for her to make a comeback, with the US Open a possibility of interest. "We hope to see her back on any court. Maybe it’s doubles. Imagine if it’s singles, and she’s working her way toward a singles run at the US Open. That would be electric all summer on the hard courts. We’re here for that."

Venus Williams caused the tennis world to turn their head when she made a return to the WTA Tour of her own back in 2025. She won her first match in the DC Open before going on to compete at the US Open, making it all the way in the quarter-finals in the doubles despite being knocked out in the first round singles event.

She has already featured in three tournaments this year, losing early in the ASB Classic and Hobart International before spurning a four-game lead against Olga Danilovic to lose in the Australian Open.

It would be an amazing sight to behold if the pair reunite in the doubles, with the sisters the one of the most successful doubles partners in history, taking home 14 Grand Slam titles from 14 finals along with a whole host of other accolades.

"Venus is still out there playing, and that’s another bonus," Davenport picked up on. Sports commentator Steve Weissman had a very bold take. "I would love to see them back together on a doubles court. That would be crazy — and I think they could win."

Davenport quickly brought him back down to earth. "They’re one of the greatest doubles teams of all time. We haven’t seen them practice yet, but I’d love to see it."