In a significant development for tennis fans, Serena Williams is setting her sights on a return to singles competition in 2027. The 44-year-old American tennis icon is currently participating in the women’s doubles event at the U.S. Open alongside her sister, Venus Williams, as part of her preparation for a future singles comeback.
During a recent match at Arthur Ashe Stadium, former world No. 1 Caroline Wozniacki provided insights into Serena's current mindset. Wozniacki noted that while both sisters are eager to win, Serena's participation in doubles serves a dual purpose: gaining match experience and improving her physical readiness for the singles circuit. "This is also kind of getting ready for the next season, get some points and get movement, play a real match before she really asserts herself back into the singles court," Wozniacki explained.
When asked if she anticipates Serena playing singles again in 2026, Wozniacki expressed skepticism, citing concerns about Williams' knee health. "I think her knee is still not 100%. If it was 100%, I think she would’ve played singles here," Wozniacki stated. This cautious approach suggests that Williams is prioritizing her health and recovery before fully committing to singles matches.
Should Williams follow through with her plans, fans could see her return to the singles arena at the Australian Open in January. The accomplished player has an impressive record, boasting 23 Grand Slam singles titles, including seven Australian Open championships and six U.S. Open victories.
In an appearance on "Good Morning America," Williams herself hinted at her intentions, stating that she "probably" plans to compete in singles again. "I have to... After some of those returns, I think I need to play at least once," she remarked, reflecting her desire to return to the sport she has dominated for decades.
Williams' journey back to competitive tennis has not been without challenges. After a four-year hiatus, she made her return at Wimbledon, where she faced Maya Joint in the first round but was eliminated after a hard-fought three-set match. Unfortunately, she was forced to withdraw from the doubles competition at Wimbledon due to a knee injury sustained during her singles match.
Reflecting on her injury, Williams shared, "I injured myself at Wimbledon. And I just didn’t have time to recover, unfortunately. I just didn’t want to take any opportunities away from someone if in terms of getting a wild card if I wasn’t able to compete at a way that I knew I could." This statement underscores her commitment to maintaining the competitive integrity of the sport.
Despite the hurdles, Williams remains optimistic about her future in tennis. When asked about the possibility of competing in a Grand Slam again, she responded affirmatively, saying, "Yeah. I think I will." She also expressed her desire for her children to witness her play at a different stage in her life, highlighting the personal motivations behind her return.
The excitement surrounding the Williams sisters' participation in the U.S. Open has drawn attention from fellow competitors, including defending men’s singles champion Carlos Alcaraz, who expressed enthusiasm about watching them play. Alcaraz stated, "I think there is no better plan [than] to watch the doubles, the Williamses, once again, while getting a treatment. I’m going to be ready for that."
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