Serena Williams turned professional in 1995 and went on to craft one of the most decorated careers in tennis history, winning 39 Grand Slam titles overall, including 23 in singles. With seven Australian Open and Wimbledon crowns each, six US Open titles, and three French Open trophies, the former World No. 1 remains a towering presence in the sport even after stepping away from competition. Williams has not played an official match since her third-round defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, yet she has notably never used the word “retirement.” Is there a real chance of making a comeback on the Tour?

She told Vogue in August 2022 that she was “evolving away from tennis” to focus on Serena Ventures and her growing family. Since then, she has welcomed her second daughter, Adira River, in August 2023. Even so, the possibility of a return has lingered—she told a San Francisco crowd shortly after the US Open, “I am not retired. The chances [of a return] are very high,” and later reiterated in April 2025 that she misses the game “with all my heart.” Amid all these, American Alycia Parks, ranked 77th in the world, who recently got off to a winning start at the 2026 Qatar Open with a win against Russia's Diana Shnaider, shared a very interesting update about Serena Williams.

Another source of inspiration for Parks is 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams, whom she considers a mentor. As rumors of a possible Williams comeback continue to gather momentum, Parks revealed that she practiced with the former world No. 1 recently.

“I actually practiced with her last Monday. And I messaged her yesterday. She’s definitely a good mentor to me, and she’s helped me a lot, especially in my practices.” 

While she said she has no inside news about a possible Serena comeback, Parks added that if the 44-year-old does decide to return, she would be more than capable of competing at this level. “She is in great shape. So I think she would kill it on tour,” Parks signed off.

However, months back, Williams had a different response to her comeback speculations. In December 2025, rumors of a Serena Williams comeback were shot down by the tennis legend herself, with the 44-year-old calling the idea “crazy.” The speculation that the 23-time Grand Slam champion would be returning to the sport in 2026 was sparked after her name appeared on the list of players registered for drug testing - an essential requirement for any player intending to compete professionally, as they must make themselves available for testing at least six months in advance.

Given that Williams registered in October, the timeline suggested she could have been eligible to return to the WTA Tour from April 2026. Yet, the American quickly addressed the chatter on her personal social media, writing, “Omg y'all, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” Her emphatic denial only deepened intrigue around why she had placed herself back in the testing pool despite seemingly stepping away from competitive tennis.

One theory gaining traction is that Williams could be planning one final on-court appearance alongside her sister, Venus Williams. The iconic duo have claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, most recently at Wimbledon in 2016. Only time will tell whether we’ll ever see her back in action on the Tour, but what do other tennis bigwigs have to say about Serena Williams’ comeback speculation?

Serena Williams’ ex-coaches react to her comeback rumors

Serena Williams continues to fuel intrigue every time she appears on a tennis court or shares glimpses of her training. Now, as whispers of a 2026 comeback grow louder, some of the most influential figures from her legendary journey have weighed in, adding fresh momentum to the speculation.

Previously, Patrick Mouratoglou, the longtime coach who guided Williams through the most dominant phase of her career, reignited the debate by openly expressing his desire to see her back on the WTA Tour. Speaking during a year-end review of the 2025 season on his YouTube channel, the Frenchman pointed to Williams’ striking physical condition as a key factor. “We have all seen the footage of Serena,” Mouratoglou said, referencing social media clips of the 44-year-old training intensely. “She looks so fit, so ready. I would love to see if she can compete at the age she has… because she’s Serena.”

Now, Mouratoglou’s comments were soon echoed by another familiar voice from the Williams sisters’ inner circle. Former coach Rick Macci, who played a pivotal role in shaping both Venus and Serena during their junior years, has thrown his full support behind the idea of a return - particularly in doubles. Taking to social media, Macci painted an evocative picture of the sisters reuniting on court.

"Serena will tee it up with Vee and create double trouble as a Live Compton street IS coming to a court real soon. That being said, she is ready to rock the WTA BOAT as there is a singles wildcard for the GOAT.@serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams," Macci tweeted.

The excitement isn’t limited to past coaches alone. Even current World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka addressed the possibility during the Australian Open, making it clear that Williams’ presence would be welcomed by the locker room. "If she wants to come back, it’s her decision. It would be fun to see her on the tour again," stated the Belarusian.

With two of her former coaches openly backing the idea and the current generation expressing enthusiasm, Serena Williams’ comeback rumors continue to gather pace. Whether it’s a full-fledged singles return or a nostalgic doubles run alongside Venus, one thing is certain - the tennis world is still not ready to stop talking about Serena. Do you think Williams will really make a comeback this year?

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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