It has been more than three years since the great Serena Williams bid adieu to the global tennis fraternity after her third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open. Since stepping away from the court, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion has become an entrepreneur, leading several projects across various fields of interest and caring for her two daughters, Alexis Olympia and Adira River, alongside husband Alexis Ohanian.
While fans and the tennis world want the tennis great to make a rousing comeback, it depends on the fitness levels of the 44-year-old, as tennis is fast becoming a young man’s sport.
The rumors around Williams’ comeback peaked when she joined the drug-testing pool late last year, as fans and analysts alike began to speculate whether the tennis icon could really pull off a surprising comeback.
In the latest episode of the Big T podcast, hosts Brad Gilbert (Coco Gauff’s ex-coach) and Coco Vandeweghe, alongside special guest Danielle Collins, shared their probabilities of a Williams return to the court in 2026.
While Collins and Vandeweghe pegged their probabilities at 50% and 13% respectively, Gilbert predicted a 39.57% probability of Williams’ comeback this year. However, all of them agreed that it could happen at the year-end Grand Slam alongside her sister, Venus Williams, in the doubles discipline.
“It’s an interesting thing why you would come back to the drug testing, because that’s not exactly a fun thing that anyone would do. I have this feeling that if we see Serena back, it’s going to be at the ’26 U.S. Open, playing doubles with her sister. And it will be Venus’s last match and last tournament as well,” said Gilbert [25:09 onwards].
“So I think if it’s going to happen, it’s Venus that tries to get her. Okay. I want you to be with me in my last match, last tournament. So I’ll give it a 39.57% chance of happening,” he added.
Roger Federer Says a Potential Serena Williams Comeback Would be Incredible
The Great Swiss, Roger Federer, is currently in Melbourne soaking in the excitement of the Australian Open, which commences on Sunday. The 20-time Grand Slam champion has been in and out of interviews, offering his varied takes on the hot topics in tennis.
In one interview, a journalist asked Federer what he thought a potential return to the court by Williams meant for the sport.
“I heard she entered the doping program. Then I heard she’s not coming back. For the game, it would be incredible. Serena is such a legend to come back. Also, the stories as a mom. It resonates with everyone in the room,” said Federer [via HITC].
“If she decides not to do it, I would maybe give herself an option. It’s great to have options in life, in my opinion. Let’s see what she does and wait for an announcement or not. Then we’ll see,” he added.
For now, a potential return is mere speculation as Williams hasn’t made any official announcement herself. Although a comeback could be a generational event for the fans, it remains to be seen what happens in the near future.
Also read:
Sloane Stephens Uncovers Cute Locker Room Surprise After Storming into Australian Open Main Draw
