Is Serena Williams’ comeback ever near? Andy Roddick claims ‘his best chance on grass at Wimbledon’ | tennis news

Is Serena Williams’ comeback ever near? Speaking on his podcast, ‘Serving with Andy Roddick’ the former world No 1 claimed “his best chance is on grass at Wimbledon”.

Williams is set to make a sensational return to professional tennis at the age of 44.

He has not played professional tennis since the loss to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the 2022 US OpenAlthough he characterized his departure as “evolving away” from the sport rather than retirement.

Williams Tennis re-entered the anti-doping testing pool last yearIt requires individuals to provide their location at any given time, every day, and participate in random testing.

They must complete probation for six months before being allowed to return to competition.

And speaking on his podcast, former US Open champion Roddick believes the 23-time Grand Slam champion made the decision to have the “option” to return to professional tennis on grass at Wimbledon, where he is a seven-time winner.

“I don’t think that as soon as you re-enter the doping protocol – which happened six or eight months ago – you do it because you want the option to come back, right? You might not know if you’re coming back or not, but at least, you’re thinking really hard about it,” said Roddick, a three-time Wimbledon finalist.

“And I know it’s not a realistic decision. I’m sure there’s emotion. I’m sure the champion has the mindset, the ego and the preferences, what ifs and all of those things. If you enter the doping protocol, you’re looking to come back. Or at least you’re looking at the option of coming back. If you do it and William thinks the sooner he’s done, the sooner he’ll recover. Serena? Bam?

“If she’s not confirmed in November and re-enters the doping protocol, can she say I’m coming back? She can’t do anything quietly. She’s Serena Williams!”

“I think we’re going to see her play singles. And I think the only thing that’s doubly motivating is the fact that her sister (Venus) hasn’t retired yet.

“So would you do it for your sister for a last run at the US Open or something like that? Yeah. And I said eight months ago. So that’s the only caveat.

“I don’t think he only plays doubles at Wimbledon. I think he will play singles. But I think he has half a chance to play singles before that.

“I don’t see at this point in his life where he’s back in his 40s. How many shots are you going to have on your best surface in singles again, if that’s what you’re aiming for? I don’t think he’s going to skip Wimbledon this year in singles. I think if you want to come back, I think you have to go.

“At this point I’d be even more surprised if she didn’t come back to just take a bow. I think we’re going to see her play professional tennis. I’ll get it in my veins. I’d love to get Serena back on the tennis court. That would be incredible. I hope it happens!”

Serena’s return?

Williams dismissed speculation in December that she was considering a comeback after re-entering the sport’s drug-testing pool, but the American then The question was not so dismissive in an interview on The Today Show In January

Afterwards, he said: “It’s not yes or no. I don’t know. I’m just going to see what happens.” Queen’s starts on Monday 8th June.

The 44-year-old quashed rumors of a return to tennis after registering with the sport’s drug-testing body, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), in December.

In a social media post, Williams wrote: “Omg yall I’m not coming back. This fire is crazy.”

Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to tennis in July 2025 at the age of 45 after nearly two years away from the tour and has not yet announced her retirement.

At the 2025 US Open, Venus became the oldest player to play in singles at a Grand Slam tournament since 1981.

Seven-time major singles champion Venus has previously expressed interest in Serena joining the tour. They have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.

Williams, who played her first professional tennis match in 1995, admitted that her desire to have a second child was the main motivation behind calling it quits three years ago.

She gave birth to her second daughter in August 2023, having welcomed her first child with husband Alexis Ohanian nearly six years ago.

Still chasing the 24th Grand Slam title

Williams was in the early stages of pregnancy with Olympia when she won the 2017 Australian Open, a victory that moved her within one Grand Slam singles title of Margaret Court’s all-time record – a mark Novak Djokovic would later equal by winning the US Open in 2023.

After returning from maternity leave she reached four more finals, two at Wimbledon and two at the US Open, but was defeated in straight sets on each occasion.

Williams, who won her first major title at the age of 17 at the US Open in 1999, told Vogue in 2022 when she revealed her plans to step away from tennis: “I’d be lying if I said I didn’t want (Court’s) record.

“The way I see it, I should have had a Grand Slam over 30. I had a chance after I came back after giving birth.

“Should have, Chyla, Cana. I haven’t shown up the way I should have or should have. But I’ve shown up 23 times, and that’s okay. Actually, that’s awesome.”

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