When the tennis world was busy celebrating Jannik Sinner, Grigor Dimitrov, and Iga Swiatek’s US Open matches, Serena Williams was sitting in the stands, closely observing the tournament, which she first won at 17. But the second day of the former world No. 1’s return to the US Open grounds Williams showcased her analytical skills by conducting a courtside interview with Mary Joe Fernandez during the  Coco Gauff and Emma Navarro‘s match. Is Williams ready to return to the commentary booth full-time? Not quite yet. But could a comeback to the tennis court be in the cards?

Earlier this year, the 73 title winner’s cryptic X post about how she wants to “hit some balls” again spread like wildfire. But she later corrected it by stating, “I did learn that I shouldn’t have posted it on Twitter, because people think I am coming back and I am like no.” However, in a different interview, Williams admitted that the thought of being on the court once again still dominates her mind, given she is fit to do the same. “When I’m watching, it’s like, Okay, well, you could be out there too,” said the former World No. 1 who turned pro back in 1995. 

For the unversed, Williams has been enjoying her time at the US Open this Labor Day weekend, making her first appearance on the grounds since retiring in 2022. She watched Pegula and Sinner play, chatted with Swiatek, and received some friendly teasing from Wozniacki for missing her match. Williams told Fernandez that she finds the atmosphere in the stands less stressful than when she was a player. “It’s definitely different,” Williams said. “I like it. I like coming out, cheering, and not having all that anxiety like, ‘Oh my God, I’ve gotta go practice.” But has she moved past competitive fire in her already?

While she began by saying, “I love the sport. I love the game. I definitely want to play,” it would sadden the fans that her appearance at the US Open this year was more about enjoying the tournament from the sidelines than about contemplating a return to the court:

“I don’t know if I would play professional [again], but I need some competition in my life,” she laughed when Fernandez shared she’d seen her practicing. “I haven’t decided what that competition is. “But I just picked up the racquet [again] because I love the sport. On a professional level, I’m not sure I could do that right now.”

Talking about Williams’ fierce and aggressive playstyle, her former coach, Rick Macci, once said, “It was her competitiveness. It didn’t matter, if there was like a piece of chicken on the table she pushed Venus out of the way to get it. She had to be the first to take a drink. She was always like had to be first, she was so competitive.” During her career, her rivalries against her older sister Venus (19-12), Victoria Azarenka (18-5), Maria Sharapova (20-2), Justine Henin, and Jennifer Capriati garnered a lot of attention from fans, keeping the craze of tennis alive among them.

Nevertheless, the American, who retired from tennis to expand her family and eventually gave birth to Adira, stepped into the fashion world and launched her own beauty product, WYN Beauty, this year. Williams, who holds a degree in fashion designing, also went down memory lane by releasing her docuseries, “In the Arena-Serena,” which features her career story.

Moreover, her Met Gala appearances, hosting debut in the ESPYs, and business ventures have yielded fruitful results as well. However, it seems that tennis is off the table for her even though she misses the sport. And when she is not busy focusing on her new career projects, her daughters get a fair share of her time!

Serena Williams’ solution to balancing time with two kids at home!

“The new baby is amazing,” Serena Williams said earlier this year about Adira, whom she welcomed in August 2023. Since then, her life as a mother of two daughters completely changed. As she tried to not let her older kid, Olympia (7), not feel “replaced,” the American former player adopted a new strategy. “Spend more time with the oldest cause they’ll remember. So whenever Olympia’s home, I’m with her. And then Adira, I’m just like, ‘Okay…’ I pretend like I don’t know her as much.

Moreover, we have also seen glimpses of Williams’ special gateway with Olympia in Disney Land or spending time with her at home on her social media. Besides for Williams, the joy of winning a Wimbledon trophy doesn’t come close to spending time with her kid, as she herself admitted.

Therefore, although we may not see Serena Williams dominating the courts anymore, her continued connection with fans while building her new ventures still continues to amaze us!