Less than six weeks earlier than the curtains rise on tennis’s closing Grand Slam of the 12 months, Serena Williams has ignited renewed hypothesis a couple of doable return at Flushing Meadows.
On July 18, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion dropped an Instagram reel that includes her again on courtroom, accompanied by a easy cartoon and the phrases “Nonetheless Serena.”
Immediately, followers flooded the remark part, turning a quick put up right into a viral sensation.
Williams, now 43, stepped away from skilled tennis in September 2022, citing an “evolution” past the tour.
Regardless of that farewell, she has by no means totally embraced the time period “retirement.” Her method to stepping again was extra about progress than goodbye. Retirement, she as soon as admitted, wasn’t a phrase she embraced.
But, with the U.S. Open approaching from September1-14 at Flushing Meadows, even a fleeting Instagram tease can spark wild hypothesis.
Within the reel, Williams appears to be like sharp, fluid in her actions, and relaxed returning serve. Overlaying the video is the refrain from Dr.Dre’s “Nonetheless D.R.E.,” a monitor epitomizing resilience.
A pivotal query echoes: might Williams actually return to compete in certainly one of tennis’s hardest Slams? Critics level to her age and lengthy absence from top-tier competitors.
However dismissing her outright would ignore her tenacity. She final lifted the U.S. Open singles trophy in 2014 and stays a sixtime champion on the onerous courts of New York.
Her comeback in 2022, although temporary, produced 4 main finals, proof that aggressive hearth nonetheless blazes.
Serena’s legacy and US Open prospects
Her document is nothing wanting legendary. Turning professional in 1995, Williams climbed to world No.1 by July 2002, a rating she held for 319 weeks.
Her Open Period dominance contains 23 Grand Slam singles titles, greater than every other participant, male or feminine, in fashionable historical past.
On the U.S. Open alone, she stands supreme: winner in 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Even in her early 40s, Williams has proven the ability to press quick and form rallies, very important parts on New York’s unforgiving onerous courts.
Nonetheless, the depth of the present area is not trivial. The likes of Iga Swiatek and Aryna Sabalenka loom massive, whereas American stars comparable to Coco Gauff, Madison Keys, Emma Navarro, and Jessica Pegula add to the homecourt problem.
Even so, Williams‘s aura and aggressive intuition might compress any draw.
Echoes from commentators and former gamers have began surfacing.
Although Williams hasn’t confirmed any official plans, this put up, brief, tantalizing, and timed so near the graduation of the U.S. Open, is sufficient to preserve hypothesis alive.
