The 44-year-old Serena Williams is “going all out” in her training to be ready for a comeback, according to her former coach Rick Macci, who believes the 23-time Grand Slam champion will undoubtedly return to competitive tennis.
After returning to the tennis anti-doping testing pool last year, Williams, who hasn’t participated since the 2022 U.S. Open and won her last Grand Slam singles championship in 2017, is now able to formally attend events.
The American aroused suspicions this month when she sidestepped queries about a comeback during an interview on NBC’s Today Show, but she has denied that she is planning to return to the sport she ruled for 20 years.
Macci, who taught Williams and her sister Venus in the early 1990s, told French magazine L’Equipe that he thought she was getting ready to make a comeback, according to Reuters on Monday.
“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,” he said.
“I have no doubts that she can handle the demands of the tour,” said Macci, 71.
“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,” he added.
Williams stated in August 2022 that she was “evolving away from tennis,” and Reuters has not received a response from her team regarding her possible return.
Macci proposed that Williams begin her comeback next month at the Miami Open or Indian Wells.
“It’ll be interesting to see how fit she is.
“Making an appearance, playing an exhibition match, or playing a match is one thing.
“Doing it again the next day and the day after that, and performing well day after day is another,” he stated.
