Fans were sent into a frenzy on Tuesday night after news broke that Serena Williams had been added to the ITIA testing pool.
Williams hasn’t played since the 2022 US Open and hadn’t been part of the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s Registered Testing Pool since then. Now, she’s eligible to return to the tour in six months.
Despite this, Serena has shut down any comeback talk, posting on X [Twitter]: “Omg [oh my goodness] y’all I’m not coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
The post didn’t do much to calm fans’ excitement, with many convinced that her name appearing in the ITIA pool means a return is possible.
Former coach shares thoughts on speculation over Williams’ status
Rick Macci, who coached Serena during her junior days in Florida before she turned professional, offered his perspective amid all the chatter.
The legendary coach spoke with Tie Break Tens, suggesting there might be more behind Williams’ move than just routine updates.
“She will never ever play an official tournament again. However, people need to understand one thing,” said Macci.
“She loves to compete and still has an iron inside of her that wants to experience the buzz of playing under pressure and the magical atmosphere.”
Rick Macci backs Serena Williams to team up with Venus again
Rick Macci, the first professional coach for Serena and Venus Williams, played a key role in their rise from Compton to international fame.
Macci, who has also coached the likes of Maria Sharapova and Andy Roddick, recently spoke about the possibility of Serena’s return during a post on social media.
“Asked if Serena will play again. Singles maybe, but dubs with Vee [Venus] for sure,” Macci posted on X (formerly Twitter).
“She entered the ITIA registered testing pool – a possible sign that the Compton Comet might tee it up in 2026. If she plays, it would be must-see TV to watch her and Vee.”
If it does happen, there’s no question tennis fans everywhere would be tuning in to see them one more time together on court.
Serena Williams’ first Grand Slam final defeat
In 1999, Serena Williams claimed her first major singles title at the US Open, beating Martina Hingis in the final.
Two years later, she was back on the same stage, this time facing her sister Venus. Venus took that match 6-2, 6-4, adding another layer to their growing rivalry.
This match was just the beginning of a remarkable stretch for both sisters. Over their careers, they met in nine major finals altogether, with Serena winning seven of those encounters.
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