New Delhi: Serena Williams is no longer a stranger to creating headlines, but this week the tennis icon became the centre of an unexpected storm. All it took was a line of paperwork and a few rumours swirling online for fans to believe the 23-time Grand Slam champion was gearing up for a surprise return to the court. The excitement quickly turned into a full-blown frenzy until Serena decided to set the record straight herself.

The speculation kicked off when it emerged that Serena had re-registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA), putting her back into the sport’s anti-doping testing pool. That’s a necessary step for any professional player who wants to compete again and considering her unmatched resume, the possibility of a comeback was enough to send tennis fans into meltdown.

But Serena didn’t let the chatter go on for too long as she took to social platform X (formerly Twitter), she wrote in all caps: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” One sentence. Rumors, doused.

Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-

— Serena Williams (@serenawilliams)

According to ITIA spokesperson Adrian Bassett, the registration simply means she would again be subject to random drug testing and must designate a location each day for testers to reach her. It doesn’t guarantee a return but it certainly leaves the door slightly open. Even the United States Tennis Association acknowledged they would welcome her back with open arms if she chose to compete again.

Serena hasn’t played a professional match since the 2022 US Open where she bowed out in an emotional third-round defeat. At the time, she avoided the word “retirement” instead saying she was “evolving away from tennis.” She now describes herself more as a venture capitalist than an athlete focusing on life beyond the sport.

Her older sister Venus resumed competing this year at 45, proving age is hardly a barrier. That only fueled the hopes further that the 23-time Grand Slam champion might follow suit. But for now, fans will have to stay patient as she has cleared the air and the tennis racquet remains on the shelf.