NEW YORK : Serena Williams declined to say whether she plans to return to professional tennis or has already played her final match, offering no firm commitment when asked in a television interview on Wednesday.
Speaking on NBC’s “Today” show, the 44-year-old American, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, brushed aside questions about a potential comeback.
“Are you really asking this on the ‘Today’ show?” Williams said with a laugh, before adding that she was simply enjoying her life.
Pressed for a clearer answer, Williams said she was in no rush to make any decisions.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” she said. “I’m just going to see what happens.”
Speculation about a return intensified after Williams’ name appeared in early October on the sport’s anti-doping testing pool, a requirement for players who wish to make a comeback and which involves being available for random testing for six months.
Williams, however, appeared to dismiss the rumors in a social media post two months ago.
“I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy,” she wrote.
Her comments come as her older sister Venus Williams, 45, has recently resumed competing on the professional tour.
