Tennis fans will be watching the action in next weekend’s Super Bowl very closely – to see if Serena Williams announces a spectacular comeback.
The sport’s greatest female player retired at the 2022 US Open in New York and everyone assumed she had tossed away her racquets for good.
But then the American superstar sparked intrigue about playing again after her name appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s latest Registered Testing Pool list, which was published in October.
And the 44-year-old, who has yet to rule out a comeback when asked directly in interviews, is being tipped to make a big announcement during the biggest event on the US sporting calendar next Monday (AEDT).
Last month, Today presenter Savannah Guthrie pressed the 23-time Grand Slam champion on her plans during an awkward interview and she stuttered with hesitation before saying: “I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens. I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now.”
Those who follow tennis will watch next weekend’s half-time show to see if she says anything in a paid-for television advert.
Williams is on a promotional push for the telehealth company Ro, which distributes the GLP-1 weight-loss drug Zepbound.
She claims this medication has helped her lose 34 pounds in a year, while she also has a personal connection through husband Alexis Ohanian, who is a Ro investor.
Ro will get more global exposure having purchased a television advertising slot for Super Bowl LX, which sees the Seattle Seahawks battle the New England Patriots in Santa Clara.
Given that a 30-second advert costs about £6 million ($11.8 million AUD), it will have to carry some impact – and what better way to sell a product, to hundreds of millions of people, by saying it has helped inspire Williams to make a sensational return.
A teaser trailer shown on Instagram had Williams, wearing a blue tennis skirt, sticking an injection in her biceps, and then dancing to a tune as she endorsed the impact Ro’s medication has had on her fitness.
“I’m moving better on Ro, I’m feeling better on Ro,” she declared.
Williams had previously written on social media “Omg y’all, I’m NOT coming back” when the revelation of her name in the drug-testing pool went public – but that is probably because it had taken plans out of her own hands.
There is no reason to be on that list and be available for daily drug testing unless you intend to return.
Athletes must nominate an hour and a location every day in which they are available for a potential visit by out-of-competition testers.
Certainly Wimbledon and the US Open would love to give Williams a wildcard, the chance to say goodbye to fans properly.
Especially as her last appearance on Centre Court saw her lose in round one to unheralded Frenchwoman Harmony Tan in 2022.
Playing singles again is unrealistic, even though her elder sibling Venus, 45, has done that this year, but there is more chance of a sisters’ act in doubles.
Former world No. 1 Williams appeared at last year’s Super Bowl when she joined rapper Kendrick Lamar on stage for a choreographed dance during the half-time show of Super Bowl LIX.
Training rumours
Williams is a mum of two, having given birth to her second child Adira River in August 2023, a younger sister for Alexis Olympia, born in September 2017.
There has been talk that she has been sharpening up her game in practice sessions with the retired male player Jesse Levine in Florida – perhaps another sign of her impending comeback.
The chances of her getting to Slam No24 – the mark held by Australian Margaret Court – are extremely unlikely, but her sponsors Nike would be delighted if she did play again.
There is, of course, the idea of Williams appearing at the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, given that she grew up on the courts of the Compton suburb.
There would be an emotional connection to that event and it would be a brilliant chance to say farewell for good.
But perhaps everything will be fully revealed during the midway point of the Super Bowl …
