Serena Williams open-minded about return to tennis: ‘I’m gonna see what happens’

• 44-year-old last played professionally at 2022 US Open

• American refuses to be drawn on future in TV interview

Serena Williams has refused to rule out making a shock return to tennis. The 44-year-old has not played professional tennis since losing to Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, although she branded her departure as evolving away" from the sport rather than a retirement.

Williams brushed off speculation in December she is considering a comeback despite reentering the sport's drug testing pool. But the 23-time grand slam singles champion was not as dismissive about a return in an interview on NBC's The Today Show.