Serena Williams forced to shut down rumours of a return to tennis - but without a conclusive answer: "Did I re-enter? Listen, I can’t discuss this"

Back in December, Serena Williams turned a lot of heads with it being reported that her name would be on the ITIA’s Registered Testing Pool, sparking the motion of a comeback to the sport. These were firmly debunked after she tweeted to confirm that she was not returning to the sport, but these firm denials have eased up slightly, with the 23-time Grand Slam champion not giving a firm yes or no.

There has been much anticipation on the possibility of Williams returning to the sport she once dominated. Two decades she played her trade, winning almost everything that was on offer to her. After retiring following on from the 2022 US Open, she looked to have hung her racket up for good.

This was thrown into some doubt when the reports came flooding in that she was on the ITIA’s Registered Testing Pool. This is utilised due to doping practices, with retires players having to enrol on this list to be conducted for anti-doping tests for a six month period to once again be able to compete in a sanctioned tournament.

There is no wonder that the rumour mill went into overdrive with many tennis fans and pundits excited about a possible return. However, Williams very quickly fought back against these claims, as she tweeted: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-“ However, her latest appearance on the Today Show does not show a firm yes or no answer from the American.

"I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now," she began by saying as the interviewer, Savannah Guthrie, really pushed for her to either say a conclusive yes or no. "I don't know, I'm just going to see what happens," Williams said. Guthrie decided to test the waters by saying, "that's a maybe to me." Williams gave a resounding answer, stating; "It's not a maybe."

Guthrie highlighted the fact that she had two kids at home, with that her main focus over even something like tennis. I do. "I’m a full-time stay-at-home," Williams commented. "When I filled out a form the other day under occupation, I wrote 'housewife.'"

The test pool discussion was once again opened, with Williams once more not giving anything away. "Did I re-enter? Listen, I can’t discuss this." Guthrie continued to try and get an exclusive answer out of her. "If you wanted to put the retirement question to bed, this would be a good moment to do it," she said. laughing throughout at the situation.

In conclusion, that is not a firm yes or no, allowing more speculation to rise on whether the 44-year-old will make a return to tennis, possibly following in the footsteps of her sister Venus Williams who has once again become a regular on the WTA Tour, first appearing in the North American hardcourt swing which included a return at the US Open. This year, she participated in the ASB Classic and Hobart International before playing at the Australian Open.

It would be a special sight to see both of them back playing regularly, but it is yet to be seen if Williams will confirm a return to the WTA Tour, at least for now.