Serena Williams' Comeback is Coming
Unpacking the latest evidence of Serena's planned unretirement and return to professional tennis.
MELBOURNE, Australia — As the 2026 Australian Open has ticked along without many major shocks so far, it’s become clearer that one of the biggest stories this season is going to center around one of the sport’s most reliable main characters.
Because even though she didn’t make the trip to Melbourne this time, Serena Williams could start showing up on tour very soon.
Bounces readers will recall my report on Serena’s return last month, and her denial hours later: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-”
But Serena was far less forceful, to say the least, when sidestepping the topic this week, so I thought this was the right time to open my notebook and share all the scuttlebutt and thoughts on Serena’s planned return to tennis—which is definitely, affirmatively, absolutely something she intends to do.
To read my follow-up reporting on Serena’s comeback, please subscribe to Bounces! -Ben
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