Former coach Rick Macci says Serena Williams certain to make comeback

LOS ANGELES – Serena Williams’ former coach Rick Macci believes the 23-time Grand Slam champion is certain to return to competitive tennis and said the 44-year-old is “going all out” in training to get herself ready for a comeback.

Williams, who won her last Grand Slam singles title at the 2017 Australian Open and has not competed since the 2022 US Open, can officially enter tournaments after rejoining the tennis anti-doping testing pool in 2025.

The American has denied that she is preparing to return to the sport she dominated for two decades, but raised eyebrows in January by deflecting questions about a comeback during an appearance on NBC’s Today show.

Similarly, when news broke about Williams’ name being featured in the anti-doping testing pool in December, Williams posted on X: “Omg y’all I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

But on Feb 19, Williams posted a TikTok video where she practised serves by herself on a court and claimed she had “not done this since September 2023”.

Macci, who previously coached Williams and her sister Venus in the early 1990s, told French publication L’Equipe that he believed she is preparing for a comeback.

“She’s training with lots of sparring partners – guys,” he said.

“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 per cent certain she’ll dive back into competition.”

World No. 95 Parks told the Tennis Majors website on Feb 7: “I actually practised with her last Monday. And I messaged her yesterday. She’s definitely a good mentor to me and she’s helped me a lot, especially in my practices.

“She is in great shape. So I think she would kill it on tour.”

Macci, 71, too, had no doubts about Williams’ ability to handle the rigours of the tour.

“The question is whether that competitive spirit is still there,” he added. “She’s answering that question herself: She’s coming back because she is a competitor at heart.”

Williams said in August 2022 that she was “evolving away from tennis” and her team have not responded to Reuters’ requests for comment on her potential comeback.

Macci suggested that Williams could use Indian Wells or the Miami Open to launch her comeback in March.

“It’ll be interesting to see how fit she is,” he added.

“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.”

World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka said ahead of the Australian Open final at the end of January: “If she wants to come back, that’s her decision. It’s going to be fun to see her back on tour.

“She’s got the personality and she’s a fun one. It will be cool.”

Ninth-ranked Elina Svitolina, who made a comeback after giving birth, said a Williams return would be “amazing” for tennis, adding: “She’s such a great champion and achieved so much, did so much for our sport and been an inspiration for women around the world.”

But Williams’ endorsement of GLP-1 weight-loss drugs, which she has admitted to taking, may prove a potential wrinkle in the future.

While they are not on the World Anti-Doping Agency’s 2026 list of prohibited substances, they are part of the body’s “monitoring programme”, meaning that could change as more research about the drugs and their effects are revealed. REUTERS