Indian Wells, California — even novak djokovic I can’t help but get excited serena williams‘ overestimated returns For tennis.
Speaking to the media at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday, the 24-time major champion was asked about Williams, the 23-time major champion who has cleared doping protocols thus paving the way for a possible comeback.
“I think she’s coming back,” Djokovic said. “I don’t know. I haven’t talked to her, but I think the feeling is that she’s coming back. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don’t know, and if I’m in her situation, I’d hide it too.
“Yeah, everyone’s excited, and it’s definitely something that’s highly anticipated. So, you know, let’s see.”
When pressed further, Djokovic said she thought Wimbledon – a tournament that both Williams and Djokovic have won seven times – would be a great potential venue for her official return. But she also said that she could “first maybe play one or two doubles tournaments with Venus”.
“Obviously from my perspective and the tennis fans’ perspective, it will be nice to see,” Djokovic, 38, said. “Yes, and [Serena is] Truly one of the greatest athletes of all time. It would be great to have that back too.”
Williams retired – or, in her words, was “Evolving away” – from tennis after the 2022 US Open to continue expanding his family. The following year she welcomed her second child with husband Alexis Ohanian.
In recent years, the 44-year-old has been seen publicly cheering on her elder sister Venus as she continues to play professionally. Venus, in turn, has spoken openly about her wish for Serena – who wrote “PS I hope to be like you” in a post praising Venus after her exit in the first round of the US Open in August – to still play.
Williams returned to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) registered testing pool in the autumn and news of her re-entry was revealed in early December. In doing so, he must report his whereabouts at any time, every day, and participate in random testing for six months before being officially reinstated.
He rejected That she was returning at the time – posting on Earlier this week, the current world No. 96 Alicia Park Williams posted a video of himself assaulting Williams, sparking even more speculation.
Williams was officially reinstated late last month. She hasn’t provided any further details about whether or not she might play again — but that won’t stop tennis fans, including fellow GOATs like Djokovic, from getting excited about the possibility.
