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Patrick Mouratoglou highlights what might prevent Serena Williams from returning to tennis
TL;DR
Serena Williams' return to the WTA Tour appears increasingly unlikely, despite previous indications of a comeback. She has not played since her loss at the 2022 US Open.
Key points
- Serena Williams hasn't played since the 2022 US Open.
- Hints of a comeback include re-entering the drug testing pool.
- No official confirmation of her return to the WTA Tour.
Photo by Tim Clayton/Corbis via Getty Images
Itâs starting to look less likely that Serena Williams will make a return to the WTA Tour, despite earlier hints suggesting she might.
Williams hasnât played professionally since her third-round loss to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open.
Even though there were signs pointing towards a comeback â like re-entering the drug testing pool and sharing videos of her training â nothing has been confirmed yet.
Patrick Mouratoglou, who coached Williams for a decade, has voiced his doubts about whether sheâs really planning a return.
Patrick Mouratoglou says Serena Williams âwill not come back to be number 20â
Photo by Rob Newell â CameraSport via Getty Images
Mouratoglou had previously said he wouldnât be surprised to see Williams return, but has since softened that stance while speaking to Spazio Tennis.
He shared that he still keeps in touch with Williams and admitted heâs not even sure she knows what her plans are yet.
He also pointed out that Serena wouldnât return unless she felt capable of playing at the highest level. Thatâs likely what sheâs weighing up now.
âSerena, we are still in touch of course we are. Is she going to come back? I donât know, I donât think she has taken the decision yet,â said Mouratoglou. âI think she was happy to be super fit, happy to be able to practice and then itâs a decision she will take or not.â
âI cannot say, because I donât know. I donât even know if she knows. I think sheâs still wondering how she progresses, because Serena will not come back to be number 20.
âIf she comes back it will be to perform, so she will have to judge if she can perform or not at the highest level and I guess this is how sheâs going to take this decision.â
Serena Williamsâ time with Patrick Mouratoglou: Grand Slam titles and success
Mouratoglou started working with Williams after she suffered a shock first-round exit at the 2012 French Open, and they enjoyed a lot of success together.
Of Williamsâ 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 10 came while Mouratoglou was her coach. Their partnership helped solidify her status as one of the greatest players in tennis history.
The last of those Grand Slam victories came in 2017 when Serena beat her older sister Venus to win the Australian Open title.
As speculation grows about when she might return, Jessica Pegula has predicted that Serena could make her comeback at Wimbledon. If that happens, it would mark nearly two years since her last competitive match.
If she does return to Wimbledon, sheâll be hoping for a better outcome than the last time she played there when Harmony Tan defeated her in the first round back in 2021.
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Q&A
What are the signs that Serena Williams might return to tennis?
Signs include her re-entering the drug testing pool and sharing training videos, but no official confirmation has been made.
When was the last time Serena Williams played professionally?
Serena Williams last played professionally during her third-round match at the 2022 US Open.
Who did Serena Williams lose to in her last match?
In her last match, Serena Williams lost to Ajla Tomljanovic.
