Less than six weeks before the curtains rise on tennis’s final Grand Slam of the year, Serena Williams has ignited renewed speculation about a possible return at Flushing Meadows.
On July 18, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion dropped an Instagram reel featuring her back on court, accompanied by a simple cartoon and the words “Still Serena.”
Instantly, fans flooded the comment section, turning a brief post into a viral sensation.
Williams, now 43, stepped away from professional tennis in September 2022, citing an “evolution” beyond the tour.
Despite that farewell, she has never fully embraced the term “retirement.” Her approach to stepping back was more about growth than goodbye. Retirement, she once admitted, wasn’t a word she embraced.
Yet, with the U.S. Open approaching from September 1-14 at Flushing Meadows, even a fleeting Instagram tease can spark wild speculation.
In the reel, Williams looks sharp, fluid in her movements, and at ease returning serve. Overlaying the video is the chorus from Dr. Dre’s “Still D.R.E.,” a track epitomizing resilience.
A pivotal question echoes: could Williams truly return to compete in one of tennis’s toughest Slams? Critics point to her age and long absence from top-tier competition.
But dismissing her outright would ignore her tenacity. She last lifted the U.S. Open singles trophy in 2014 and remains a sixtime champion on the hard courts of New York.
Her comeback in 2022, though brief, produced four major finals, proof that competitive fire still blazes.
Serena’s legacy and US Open prospects
Her record is nothing short of legendary. Turning pro in 1995, Williams climbed to world No. 1 by July 2002, a ranking she held for 319 weeks.
Her Open Era dominance includes 23 Grand Slam singles titles, more than any other player, male or female, in modern history.
At the U.S. Open alone, she stands supreme: winner in 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Even in her early 40s, Williams has shown the skill to press fast and shape rallies, vital elements on New York’s unforgiving hard courts.
Nevertheless, the depth of the current field isn’t trivial. The likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka loom large, while American stars such as Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, and Jessica Pegula add to the homecourt challenge.
Even so, Williams‘s aura and competitive instinct could compress any draw.
Echoes from commentators and former players have started surfacing.
Though Williams hasn’t confirmed any official plans, this post, short, tantalizing, and timed so close to the commencement of the U.S. Open, is enough to keep speculation alive.
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