Serena Williams says her singles career isn’t over: ‘I think I need to play’

The tennis legend said she wants her children to see her compete again, though she does not expect a permanent comeback.

Serena Williams has left the door open for another singles comeback, saying she expects to play at least one more singles match despite choosing doubles at the 2026 US Open. The 44-year-old tennis legend says she wants her children to see her compete at a different stage of her life.

Serena Williams’ latest comments suggest her return to competitive tennis may not end with her US Open doubles appearance alongside sister Venus. Williams returned to professional tennis this year after several years away, initially competing in doubles, according to Yahoo News. She later made her singles comeback at Wimbledon, where she lost in the first round to Maya Joint and suffered a knee injury that also forced her to withdraw from a scheduled doubles match with Venus.

Although Williams had an opportunity to enter the 2026 US Open singles competition, she opted instead to reunite with Venus in the doubles draw. But in an interview with Good Morning America, Serena Williams indicated that she is not ready to close the book on singles tennis. Asked whether she would play singles again, she responded: “I’ll probably play again. I have to. After some of those returns, I think I need to play.”

She subsequently clarified that any future return would not necessarily signal another permanent chapter in her career. “I think I will. But this isn’t something permanent, obviously,” Williams said, explaining that she particularly wants her children to see her play at a different age.

Her return has already generated significant attention. After years away from singles competition, Williams’ Wimbledon appearance marked an extraordinary comeback at an age when most professional players have long since retired.