Andy Roddick doesn't want to definitively state that Serena Williams is returning to tennis, but the American tennis legend suggests there is absolutely some smoke to it because you simply don't enter the anti-doping protocols for no reason.
Last week, Ben Rothenberg reported an absolute bombshell after he revealed that Williams – who retired in 2022 and left the ITIA's testing pool the same year – made herself once again available to the anti-doping authorities. If you may not know, a player is required to re-enter the doping testing pool at least six months before being allowed to compete in a WTA tournament.
The news quickly went viral, and Williams herself described it as "a wildfire." However, in the same X post, the former 23-time Grand Slam champion insisted that she wasn't thinking about returning to tennis.
Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-
— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams) December 2, 2025
Roddick 'stoking the fire': You enter it because you like the option of coming back
“I love Serena, I’ve known her for a long time, since we were kids, I’m not saying she’s doing it because she knows she’s coming back. The reason you go back into doping protocols is that you like the option of coming back, and I don’t know how else to read this. I’m sure I’m going to get an angry email from someone saying I’m stoking the fire. Yep, I am," the 2003 US Open champion said on The Served with Andy Roddick.
There have been a lot of rumors and speculations about a possible Williams comeback. Some think the American may be planning to return and play doubles with her sister Venus, while some think Rothenberg's report spoiled the 44-year-old's plans and now she will stay retired.
