By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, December 3, 2025Photo credit: Corleve/Mark Peterson
Serena Williams has shot down reports of a 2026 comeback to the pro circuit.
The former world No. 1 declared “I’m NOT coming back” in a social media post on Tuesday, a few hours after reports spread around the world that the 23-time Grand Slam champion was preparing for a potential comeback.
Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 2, 2025
The 44-year-old Serena reportedly applied for reinstatement to the WTA Tour, Bounces’ Ben Rothenberg reported. Bounces reported Serena actually had hoped to be reinstated to play the 2025 US Open doubles alongside sister Venus Williams, however paperwork was not filed in time. Venus Williams went on to partner former US Open finalist Leylah Fernandez and the pair, enjoying massive support from Louis Armstrong Stadium fans, made an inspired run to the US Open quarterfinals.
Serena Williams’ final pro match was at the 2022 US Open.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency told Reuters that Serena Williams is among the list of players in its testing pool. So why would Serena re-enter anti-doping testing protocol if she’s not contemplating a comeback? Perhaps Serena wants to keep her options open, or, as her former coach, Rick Macci, suggested last year perhaps she does in fact want to play doubles with older sister Venus Williams again.
Together, the Williams sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles championships and remain undefeated in major doubles finals.
The 45-year-old Venus Williams has accepted a wild card into Auckland in January where she plans to continue her comeback.
Of course, it’s entirely plausible Serena is not considering a full-fledged comeback at all given her strong denial of return reports.
Four-time Olympic gold-medal champion Serena has shed 31 pounds using the weight-loss drug Ro and adhering to a daily training regimen. Serena, sporting the six-pack abs she had during her peak playing years, told The Today Show she plans to run a half marathon in the future.
Now, the owner of 73 career titles says she’s not intending on another run at resuming her pro tennis career.
