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Novak Djokovic has expressed a strong belief that Serena Williams is planning a return to professional tennis, fueling widespread excitement across the sport. The American legend had earlier talked about her retirement U-turn, to which she neither denied nor said yes to, leaving fans wondering about it. Meanwhile, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has a massive update on the possibility.
Novak Djokovic drops bombshell on potential Serena Williams return
Speaking at a pre-tournament press conference for the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells recently, Djokovic said:
"I think she's coming back.”
The tennis superstar showed off his confidence despite admitting he has not spoken directly to her. Djokovic added that the tennis world is "definitely" anticipating her comeback highly, describing it as something "everybody is excited" about. He added:
“Where and how, singles, doubles, we don't know, and if I'm in her position, I would hide it too.”
Djokovic then stated that the tennis world is waiting for her potential comeback as she is “one of the greatest athletes.” The tennis icon suggested she might keep any plans secret to maximize anticipation, potentially starting with doubles alongside sister Venus before singles play.
The Serb proposed Wimbledon, the tournament where both he and Williams have each secured seven titles, as an ideal venue for her comeback, citing its prestige and history. While no official announcement has come from Williams, the Serbian star's comments have amplified global discussion about one of tennis's greatest icons potentially stepping back onto the court in 2026.
The speculation stems from Williams re-entering the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) anti-doping registered testing pool in late 2025, which made her eligible to compete again starting February 2026, more than three years after her last match at the 2022 US Open.
Although the 44-year-old 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially denied comeback plans on social media, calling rumors a "wildfire," she has since been more ambiguous in interviews, refusing to rule out a return entirely.
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