Novak Djokovic Weighs In On a Potential Serena Williams Comeback

There hasn’t been a sports comeback story this captivating since Michael Jordan walked back into the NBA wearing number 45. Serena Williams might be lacing up her tennis shoes again. And even Novak Djokovic, a man who doesn’t exactly wear his emotions on his sleeve, can’t contain his excitement about it.

Speaking to reporters Wednesday at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, Djokovic was asked about Williams’ potential return to professional tennis. His response? About as close to giddy as he gets.

“I think she’s coming back,” Djokovic said. “I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her, but I guess the sentiment is that she’s coming back. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don’t know, and if I’m in her position, I would hide it too. Everybody is excited.”

When the greatest men’s player of all time says everybody is excited, you believe him. Will Djokovic be proven right?

Why the Serena Williams Comeback Talk Is Heating Up Right Now

This isn’t just idle chatter. There are real, concrete reasons to believe Williams is seriously considering a return to the WTA Tour. Back in the fall of 2025, Williams quietly re-entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) registered testing pool. That means random drug testing, daily whereabouts reporting, and a mandatory six-month compliance window before she can officially compete again. She crossed that eligibility threshold on Feb. 22, 2026.

She initially pushed back hard on the comeback talk. She posted on X: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back.” But that firm denial has softened considerably in recent months. When World No. 96 Alycia Parks dropped a video of herself hitting with Williams — captioned “Oh you know, I help GOATS” — the internet lost its collective mind. And rightfully so. You don’t get on a practice court with someone if you’re just trying to get a light workout in.

Former coach Rick Macci also weighed in recently, suggesting that Williams’ rigorous training regimen pointed squarely toward a competitive return. Rick Macci has been around elite tennis long enough to know the difference between someone staying in shape and someone preparing to win matches.

Where Djokovic Thinks Serena Smith Will Make Her Return

Djokovic had an opinion on that, too, and it’s a compelling one. He said Wimbledon would be the ideal stage for Williams to make her official return, and it’s hard to argue with him. She’s won seven singles titles at the All England Club. Seven. The grass of SW19 is practically her home court.

“I pick that one as well as her comeback,” Djokovic said. “But I think she might maybe play a doubles tournament or two with Venus first. That would be nice to see, just from my point of view and for tennis fans, for sure.”

Tennis Channel analyst Prakash Amritraj echoed that sentiment, noting that Williams can’t just show up at Wimbledon cold. “Maybe there’s a world where she is gearing up for Wimbledon,” he said. “But I don’t think she would just rock up and play it. She definitely needs to get some matches in before playing.”

And then Amritraj added the most delightful scenario anyone has floated yet: “If she’s doing it, I got my wish list card for Serena-Roger Federer mixed doubles at the U.S. Open.” At this point, why not? Let’s run it.

The Emotional Weight Of a Potential Serena Williams Return

Here’s the thing about Williams that sometimes gets lost in the statistical analysis and GOAT debates: she didn’t leave tennis angry. She left to expand her family, to build businesses, to live a life bigger than any sport could contain. She called it “evolving away from tennis.” That was her phrase

She and husband Alexis Ohanian welcomed their second child in 2023. In recent years, she’s been spotted courtside at Venus’ matches. Venus has made no secret about wanting Serena back on tour. After Serena posted about Venus last August, writing “P.S. I hope to be like you,” the dynamic between the two of them felt like a slow-building story arc headed somewhere meaningful.

What a Serena Williams Return Would Mean For Tennis

Professional tennis has been experiencing something of a golden era. Carlos Alcaraz is appointment television. Iga Swiatek has been dominant for years. Coco Gauff is growing into the superstar many always believed she would become. The product is good right now.

But Serena Williams walking back onto a Grand Slam court? That changes everything. Television ratings, ticket demand, and social media engagement. All of it spikes the moment her name appears in a draw. She is one of those rare athletes who transcends the sport itself. Non-tennis fans watch Serena. That matters.

Djokovic, who has 24 Grand Slam titles and has seen virtually everything this sport has to offer, put it simply: “She’s one of the greatest athletes, really. It would be great to have her back.”

What Happens Next

Williams hasn’t announced anything officially. She’s keeping her cards close. The speculation itself is driving enormous interest, and there’s no reason to tip her hand before she’s ready.

What we know: She’s eligible to compete. She’s been on a practice court. Her coach thinks she looks sharp. Djokovic thinks she’s coming back. Her sister wants her back. Tennis fans around the world are refreshing her Instagram looking for clues.

The only person who knows the full answer is Serena Williams. And she’s not talking yet. But the silence feels different now. It feels like someone who has made a decision and is just waiting for the right moment to share it.