“Nobody wakes up at 5am just to play doubles”: Petkovic suggests Serena Williams comeback is serious

Serena Williams’ potential 2026 comeback moved from speculation to procedure after the 23-time Grand Slam champion was officially included in the ITIA testing pool — a mandatory step for any return to competition. The development has triggered renewed debate across the sport, with Andrea Petkovic strongly backing Williams’ freedom to choose her own path.

The former world No. 1 has not played competitively since the US Open in 2022, where she was defeated in the third round by Ajla Tomljanovic. At the time, her departure was described as an “evolution” away from tennis, though she stopped short of using the word retirement. Recent reports suggesting a possible return in 2026 have reignited debate over whether the 23-time Grand Slam champion could once again compete on tour.

Petkovic, speaking on The Big T in Tennis Channel, made clear that the decision ultimately belongs to Williams alone. She argued that players of that stature operate under a different internal logic, shaped by ambition and experience at the highest level.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion was recently included in the ITIA testing pool, which means she is now eligible to undergo anti-doping tests — the requirement that had so far prevented her from returning to the courts. This time, with authorisation from the ITIA, Serena would be preparing her comeback — although she has maintained uncertainty regarding a potential date and whether she would compete exclusively in doubles, or also attempt to test herself again in singles.

Petkovic began by emphasising autonomy. In her view, Williams’ career achievements alone grant her the freedom to attempt a comeback — or walk away again — without outside judgement. “I think she has earned the right to do whatever she wants. If after a match she decides it’s not for her, she can do whatever she wants,” Petkovic said.

She then drew a parallel with Lindsey Vonn, referencing the American skier’s decision to compete at the Winter Olympics despite serious injury. For Petkovic, elite athletes are often driven by impulses that defy conventional risk assessment.

“And if she decides: ‘Oh, maybe I have a chance here to achieve something bigger,’ then I think of Lindsey Vonn and how she decided to compete at the Winter Olympics a week later despite her cruciate ligament injury. It didn’t go well, but the decision is what counts,” said the 2014 French Open semi-finalist.

Petkovic expanded the argument beyond tennis, suggesting that the mentality of so-called “Greatest of All Time” athletes separates them from the broader field. “These GOATs think differently. Without them, humanity wouldn’t be where we are today. That’s why I say: more power to them! I hope they return.”

Petkovic also addressed the unseen sacrifices required to sustain a career like Williams’. She pointed to the daily realities of professional tennis, particularly the demands of anti-doping protocols, as evidence that no player endures such scrutiny lightly.

“I was under anti-doping protocol for 16 years. Nobody volunteers to get a knock on the door at 5 in the morning. Or to urinate in a cup in front of someone who is in the bathroom with you,” Petkovic said. “I’m sorry. With all due respect to everyone who plays doubles, nobody does it voluntarily.”

Her remarks underline the physical and psychological toll behind longevity at the top of the sport. Williams spent more than two decades navigating those demands, winning 23 major singles titles and holding the world No. 1 ranking for 319 weeks.

Petkovic faced Williams on multiple occasions during her career. Their head-to-head record heavily favoured the American, who won all four of their completed meetings in straight sets, including matches at Grand Slam and Premier-level events. For Petkovic, the experience reinforced her belief that players of Williams’ calibre operate on a different competitive plane.

Although there is still no official confirmation that Serena Williams will effectively return to competition, she is now eligible to participate in any official event. However, without an active ranking, she would require a wildcard in order to enter the main draw of tournaments.