The entire tennis world is buzzing with Serena Williams’ potential comeback to the WTA tour in 2026 following multiple hints and teases. It all started with the anti-doping testing pool in Oct. 2025, when her name reappeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). After that, Williams has been clever with her teases, sharing training videos but denying a potential comeback every time.
Now, with the involvement of one of her greatest rivals, Maria Sharapova, the tennis world has turned its attention back towards Williams and the possibility of seeing her on the WTA tour this season.
Serena Williams Denies Maria Sharapova’s Wimbledon Theory
Williams is officially eligible to return to professional tennis on Feb. 22, 2026, after having to wait six months since her name reappeared on the ITIA anti-doping testing pool last year. However, the star refused to have her name put in the pool and denied the possibility of a return, any and every time it caught global attention. Recently, she shared a TikTok video of her practicing on a court alone, hitting bullet-like serves.
Fellow American Alycia Parks confirmed that she practiced with the 23-time Grand Slam Champion, stating that she is in “great shape” and “would kill it on tour.” After this, Williams shared an Instagram post captioned “I’m getting ready for a Serena summer #summerofserena,” along with a selfie.
Now the tennis community is taking it as a hint as to when she can make a potential return, seemingly during the summer season.
This post caught the attention of former tennis player Sharapova, who dropped a comment, writing, “Wimbledon?” with three winking emojis. Given the immense success she has had at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club and the timing, Wimbledon seems a reasonable time for her to return. However, Williams followed the same pattern, replying to Sharapova, writing, “lol no love hahahah,” denying the rumors again.
What makes this conversation even more special is the fact that these bittersweet on-court rivals met for something very special last year. During the International Tennis Hall of Fame ceremony, Williams officially inducted Sharapova during the Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony in Newport, Rhode Island, in Aug. 2025.
Both stars showed immense respect for each other in their speeches, claiming that they were always close despite what it seemed on court.
A Potential Return for Williams in 2026?
The last time Williams competed on the WTA tour was back in 2022, when she participated in the US Open. She beat Danka Kovinić in straight sets in the first round before defeating the second seed, Anett Kontaveit, in three sets in the second round. She then faced Australian player Ajla Tomljanović in the third round, who ended Williams’ last US Open campaign, where she lifted a trophy twice in 1999 and 2009.
Many tennis analysts, including respected coach Patrick Mouratoglou, have expressed their desire to witness the American legend step foot on the tennis courts in 2026. The Frenchman wants to see the “greatest women’s player of all time” compete against the dominant forces of recent history, including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Świątek, Elena Rybakina, Coco Gauff, and many others.
It would be interesting to see when the American legend steps foot on a tennis court for a professional match, if she does, or what these cryptic messages are hinting towards. Until then, the tennis community is speculating and hoping to see one of the greatest women’s tennis players of all time play one more match for her fans.
