Serena Williams will make her final professional appearance at this year's US Open, and her former coach, Rick Macci, has not ruled out her chances of finishing with a seventh title at Flushing Meadows.
After a year on the sidelines, the legendary 23-time Grand Slam champion returned to singles action at Wimbledon. She lost narrowly to Harmony Tan in the opening round after running out of steam physically toward the end.
Williams did not want to discuss how long she planned to keep playing after Wimbledon, but fans were left shocked and devastated in equal measure when the American announced she would retire after the US Open earlier this month.
The 40-year-old has prepared for the US Open by playing at the Canadian and Cincinnati Opens. She only managed one victory in Toronto. Her two losses included falling to defending US Open champion Emma Raducanu in Cincinnati.
Williams' level does not seem high enough to win the US Open, but it also feels unwise to write off the greatest female tennis player ever. Macci recently told Tennis Infinity that being in great shape is crucial to the six-time US Open champion's hopes.
"If she wants to do it, she has to fully commit and get in amazing shape. You don't lose the talent, you just lose the fitness. Then you get the confidence back once you start playing matches."
"She just has to dive in get used to winning and losing. She's probably the best competitor maybe in any women's sport we've ever seen."
Williams' former coach also did not rule out her chances in a Twitter post, saying his answer to the question is that the legendary American has already done it six times.
"Everybody is asking can Serena Williams win the US OPEN, My answer is she already did 6 times."
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