"Quite clear to me that she's aiming for 2028": Mats Wilander sees big goal behind Serena Williams return with no sudden retirement reversal

Tuesday, 30 June 2026 at 17:00

Serena Williams plays her first match in four years later today when she takes on Aussie ace, Maya Joint but even if she loses today at Wimbledon. Mats Wilander sees it as not being a short term return.

Often Novak Djokovic has mooted that he wants to play until the Los Angles Olympic Games and it seems according to Wilander that Serena Williams wants to do the same as she continues her comeback on.

Of course given it is her home Grand Slam, it is expected that she will be playing the US Open and potential dates of the US/Canadian Hard Court swing. An appearance at Cincinnati or Toronto could be her warm-up and it will be likely that she will play in the new mixed doubles format which proved to be hotly contested last year.

But it won't stop there as she will play towards being 46 or 47 if she continues on. Presumably though if she does, it will be a Venus Williams type schedule where she will pop up for part of the year and then not for the rest of it.

Comeback will be at least a year

Albeit Wilander did add the caveat that while he sees her potentially playing at the 2028 Olympic Games, that it will be at least a year at the very rate.

It seems for both Djokovic and also for Serena Williams to perhaps be the perfect end to their respective careers to retire at the biggest event outside the majors in the Olympic Games. “I don’t think Serena Williams’ return is purely short-term. I see her playing for at least a year. At the very least. I don’t expect her to play singles at Wimbledon and then skip the US Open," said Wilander as per Eurosport.

Serena Williams smiles walking back from practice.

Serena WIlliams plays today.

“I’m convinced she’ll also be at Flushing Meadows. Her immediate results are less important, in my opinion, because it’s quite clear to me that she’s aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles."

“I imagine that’s a very important goal for her. She’s won numerous gold medals, in both singles and doubles, and I really expect to see her at the Games.”

Samuel GillEditor-in-Chief

Samuel Gill is the Chief Content Officer (CCO) of TennisUpToDate.com, a role he has held since 2020. He is responsible for editorial governance across the platform, including setting content standards, overseeing accuracy and consistency, and guiding long-term editorial strategy. Since joining, he has contributed more than 10,000 articles and editorial pieces across the TennisUpToDate network, playing a central role in the daily operation and development of the site.

Based in Leicester, Samuel has a broad background in tennis media. In his current role, he works closely with editors and writers to ensure coverage meets clear journalistic standards, with particular attention to verification, consistency, and timely updates when new information becomes available.

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