"Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy," Serena Williams posted on X in early December 2025. However, Jim Courier explained why there's a good reason why rumors of her comeback haven't died down.

A few months ago, Williams’ name appeared in the Registered Testing Pool (RTP), a strict anti-doping whereabouts program that requires athletes to declare their location for an hour every single day.

Jim Courier explained how commitment-heavy the program was while speaking at the Australian Open. “It’s a huge hassle. The players all moan and groan about it,” he said, adding that if someone missed three tests in a year, it is like the equivalent to failing a d*** test.

“So no person that doesn't have intentions to play professional tennis is going to put themselves in that list, especially someone who has as much experience doing it as Serena Williams," added Courier.

He also addressed Williams' X post. "Serena denied she’s coming back, but I think unless she gets injured there is no doubt she’s going to play somewhere at some point. Whether it’s singles, doubles with her sister [Venus Williams] somewhere, or even mixed doubles at the US Open. There’s no other way to interpret that,” he told Wide World of Sports.

While Courier agrees that age catches up to elite athletes, he believes that Williams still has the 'racquet skills' while pointing to Roger Federer's example at Melbourne Park in the opening ceremony this year. “If you’ve seen Serena lately … she looks really fit,” he said. And Courier isn't the only one.

What do other players think of Serena Williams' coming back?

Williams retired with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, sitting just one behind Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic. Her final match was at the US Open against Ajla Tomljanović. Even Tomljanović has voiced her support. "I think it's great if she comes back. We definitely miss her," she added.

Roger Federer was also asked for his opinion. "I heard she entered the doping program. Then I heard she’s not coming back.... For the game, it would be incredible. Serena is such a legend to come back," said Federer.

With the 2026 Australian Open underway, big changes are already unfolding. Naomi Osaka, who was among the favorites, withdrew after an injury.

Meanwhile, as other male veterans like Stan Wawrinka and Gaël Monfils bow out, the sport may be ready for one more Serena Williams chapter. However, only time will tell if that becomes a reality.

Written by

Fatema Kapasi

Edited by

Sagnik Bagchi