Serena Williams training for comeback, says ex-coach

Tennis icon, Serena Williams’ former coach, Rick Macci, believes the 23-time Grand Slam champion is preparing for a return to competitive tennis, revealing that the 44-year-old is intensifying her training ahead of a possible comeback.

Williams, who last won a Grand Slam singles title in 2017 and has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open, became eligible to re-enter tournaments after rejoining the sport’s anti-doping testing pool last year.

Although the American tennis star has publicly denied plans of a comeback, she sparked speculation during a recent appearance on NBC’s Today Show when she avoided giving a direct answer about returning to the tour.

Speaking to French outlet L’Equipe, Macci  who coached Serena and her sister Venus in the early 1990s said he is convinced she is gearing up for competition.
 
According to him, Williams has been training intensely with several sparring partners, including male players, and has also hit with fellow American Alycia Parks in South Florida.

Macci said he initially expected Williams to return occasionally for doubles appearances alongside Venus, but now believes she is targeting a full-scale comeback.
 

“If she didn’t believe she could compete with the best and win matches, she wouldn’t be doing this,” he said, expressing confidence that she will return to competition.
 

The 71-year-old coach added that he has no concerns about her physical ability to handle the demands of the tour, suggesting that her competitive drive remains the key factor.

Williams had previously stated in August 2022 that she was “evolving away from tennis.” Her representatives have yet to comment on the latest speculation.
 

Macci hinted that tournaments such as Indian Wells or the Miami Open could serve as potential platforms for her return, noting that sustained performance over consecutive days would be the real test of her readiness.