Serena Williams refuses to rule out return: ‘I am not retired’

Serena Williams has dropped further hints that she may return to professional tennis despite turning 41 last month. 

The 23-time Major champion played what was apparently the final match of her career at the US Open in September, losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round of the US Open. While she had written an essay describing herself as ‘evolving away from tennis’ the racket is not well and truly hung up according to Williams.

“The chances (of a return) are very high,” she said at a conference promoting her investment company, Serena Ventures. “You can come to my house, I have a court.

“I am not retired.”

Unlike fellow legend Roger Federer, the idea of retirement does not sit easily with Serena Williams. After a career spanning more than 25 years, transitioning away from the sport must be a shock for her. She admitted as much later.

“I still haven’t really thought about [retirement],” she said. “But I did wake up the other day and go on the court and [thought] for the first time in my life that I’m not playing for a competition, and it felt really weird.

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