Venus Williams Sparks Serena Comeback Rumors, But Here's Why It Won't Happen

Monday, 21 July 2025 at 22:56

byJordan Reynolds

There has been speculation about a possible return to professional tennis for Serena Williams after comments from her sister Venus Williams, but there are reasons why it cannot happen in the coming months.

Despite being 45 years old, Venus thrilled her fans by announcing she will compete on the WTA Tour for the first time in 16 months at the 2025 Citi Open in Washington, where she will play Peyton Stearns on Tuesday. The tennis legend is guaranteed to receive much support from the crowd.

The seven-time Grand Slam singles champion's comeback is even more incredible considering she is older than her sister Serena, who won 23 major singles crowns during her incredible professional career that lasted from October 1995 until the 2022 US Open.

In her press conference before the Citi Open, Venus did not rule out Serena returning to the sport and admitted to missing her younger sister after they had been on the professional circuit together for so long, achieving outstanding success as partners in doubles and rivals in singles.

"I don’t know what she’s going to do. I don’t ask those questions. I think we always hit the ball, because that’s who we are. We’re always hitting. I keep saying to my team: 'The only thing that would make this better is if she was here.' Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her. But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know."

That led to some online fans getting excited about the prospect of the legendary sisters reuniting in doubles or competing at the same singles tournament. Some particularly hopeful online fans floated the prospect of them both appearing at the 2025 US Open.

Well-known journalist Ben Rothenberg explained why the pair appearing at the final Grand Slam of the year is impossible. Filing reinstatement paperwork to be on the anti-doping testing pool is a long process.

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"I have to pour some cold water excitement, however: a Serena comeback to officially sanctioned couldn't be immediate. Because Serena took herself out of the Anti-Doping Testing Protocol when she retired in September 2022, she would need to file reinstatement paperwork and wait at least six months before being allowed to compete at any official tournament."

"A Venus-Serena reunion in New York this year would be great,but it won't happen this year in any official match."

Although this will disappoint some, it does not definitively end Serena's chances of playing again on the WTA Tour. Venus could have ended the speculation in her Citi Open press conference, but did not.

Serena previously admitted that she misses tennis like crazy. The seven-time Wimbledon champion has also kept herself in great shape since retiring from the sport, giving her a chance of coping physically if she did return sometime next year.

If Serena never makes a comeback, American tennis is still in an incredible place, with French Open champion Coco Gauff, Jessica Pegula, Madison Keys, and Emma Navarro leading women's tennis in the US.