- Former coach Rick Macci claims Serena Williams is training intensely for a potential tennis comeback
- Williams last competed at the 2022 U.S. Open and rejoined the anti-doping testing pool in 2023, making her eligible to return to tournaments
- She has denied active plans to return but recently avoided questions about a comeback during a media appearance
- Coach Rick Macci insists she is “going all out” in training and believes her competitive drive remains strong
Former coach Rick Macci believes Serena Williams will return to competitive tennis, insisting the 44-year-old is training intensely in preparation for a comeback.
Williams last captured a Grand Slam singles title in 2017 and has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open, though she rejoined the tennis anti-doping testing pool last year, making her eligible to enter tournaments.
She has denied actively planning a return but recently sidestepped questions about it during an appearance on NBC’s Today Show.
Speaking to French publication L’Équipe, Macci expressed confidence that a comeback is underway:
“She’s training with lots of sparring partners – guys.
“She’s also played with Alycia Parks, a good friend of hers in South Florida. So I have no doubt about it (her comeback). I always thought she would come back from time to time to make appearances with Venus in doubles.
“But we’re not just talking about doubles here … she’s going all out. If she didn’t think she could compete with the best and win matches, she wouldn’t do it. It’s 100% certain she’ll dive back into competition.”
The 71-year-old coach added that he believes Williams still possesses the competitive drive needed to succeed.
“The question is whether that competitive spirit is still there.
“She’s answering that question herself: she’s coming back because she is a competitor at heart.”
Williams previously stated in August 2022 that she was “evolving away from tennis,” and her team has not responded to media inquiries regarding a potential return. Macci suggested that she could stage her comeback at tournaments such as Indian Wells Masters or the Miami Open next month.
He cautioned that returning to top-level tennis requires more than a single appearance.
“It’ll be interesting to see how fit she is.
“Making an appearance, playing an exhibition match or a match is one thing.
“Doing it again the next day and the day after that, and performing well day after day is another.”
Williams has yet to publicly confirm any plans to return to competition.