Novak Djokovic says he has no inside information about Serena Williams’ potential return to professional tennis but he believes Wimbledon would be the perfect event for her to do so.
Williams, who hasn’t played on the Tour since 2022, has fuelled speculation that she is preparing for a comeback to the sport after re-entering the anti-doping pool last year. Something all players must do to play professionally. According to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), the 23-time Grand Slam champion is allowed to compete from February 23rd this year, having made herself available for out-of-competition anti-doping tests for six months leading up to this date.
However, the 44-year-old has dodged questions about her plans for the future. During an interview with the Today Show earlier this year, Williams said ‘I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now’ when quizzed about coming out of retirement.
Djokovic, who is six years younger than Williams, has hailed the American as ‘one of the greatest athletes’ and said ‘it would be great to have her back’ when speaking to reporters in Indian Wells.
“I think she’s coming back. I don’t know. I haven’t spoken to her, but I guess the sentiment is that she’s coming back,” he said.
“I pick that one (Wimbledon) as well as her comeback, but yeah, I don’t know. I think she might maybe play a doubles tournament or two with Venus. That would be nice to see, just from my point of view and for tennis fans.”
Williams won seven of her 23 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon and was runner-up on four other occasions. At the grass-court major, she has also won the women’s doubles trophy six times and the mixed doubles once.
As for his future in the sport, Djokovic has vowed to continue playing as long as he still has the ‘fire and flare’ to do so. Something he illustrated at the Australian Open earlier this year where he reached the final before losing to Carlos Alcaraz in four sets. He is the second-oldest man in the top 100 after Stan Wawrinka, who will retire at the end of this season.
“For me, that has been a phenomenal result. So I have proven to myself primarily and to others that I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys,” he said of his latest run at Melbourne Park.
“So my logic is why not keep going as long as I have that fire and flair and quality and the motivation to do that.
“I really enjoy the thrill of competition.
“I enjoy still getting out there in front of the fans and being competitive. Still number three in the world, so I don’t think it’s too bad ?in terms of the ranking and results and performances.
“So I’m still competitive. I still have that edge, and I’ll keep on going as long as I feel like it.”
Djokovic is seeking a record seventh title in Indian Wells, which he hasn’t won since 2016. Granted a bye in the first round, his opening match will be against either France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard or Poland’s Kamil Majchrzak.
