The media and social frenzy did not arise from thin air, but from a concrete action that Williams herself had executed. The controversy began after reports revealed that Serena, at age 44, had been reinstated into the drug testing pool (ITIA) on October 6th—a mandatory prerequisite for any athlete contemplating official competition.

Adrian Bassett, spokesperson for the ITIA, had attempted to cool the situation when speaking to The Athletic. “She has notified us that she wants to be reintegrated into the testing pool. I don’t know if this means she is going to return or that she is simply giving herself the option,” he expressed. Nevertheless, the mere hint was enough to revolutionize the tennis world.

The furor was such that the American legend, three and a half years after leaving the court, felt compelled to stop the wave of speculation. With a simple and direct message via her X account, the multiple champion buried any remaining hope: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy—,” Williams wrote.

The hypotheses that fuelled the speculation

Amid all the generated chatter, fans’ hopes had reached the point of circling a possible return date on the calendar. The common hypothesis was based on the equation that the ITIA reincorporation process requires a minimum of six months to complete. Therefore, the theory held that the former World No. 1 could have been eligible to compete again as early as April 2026.

There was even speculation about a grand re-debut in her home court, the US Open, likely in the doubles category, a modality in which she won 14 Grand Slam titles.

However, the 23-time Major champion herself appeared on social media to deny the reports, extinguishing the hope and putting an end to the circuit’s most anticipated rumor. As things stand, everything indicates that Serena Williams’ last official match remains the third-round contest she played at the 2022 US Open, where she fell to Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic.

The Big Three dominated the men’s tour for two decades, amassing an astounding 66 total Grand Slam titles, a benchmark many believe is insurmountable. Djokovic leads the men’s Major count with 24 titles, followed by Nadal, who holds 22, and finally Federer, who has 20 Majors to his name. However, Williams firmly believes that records are made to be shattered, and Alcaraz could be the one to achieve the feat.

Williams, who is in Spain to receive the prestigious Princess of Asturias Award, addressed the possibility of Alcaraz surpassing Djokovic’s leading tally of 24 Major titles.

“Carlos is doing incredible things; I’m a huge fan of him. I always call him when he plays, to cheer him on,” Williams noted. When asked specifically about the 24-Major mark, she added, “At this point, anything is possible“.

“When Roger started, no one thought he could surpass Pete Sampras, and he did. Then Rafa did the same, and then Novak. Carlos is very young, he has great rivals, but of course it’s possible. Records are there to be broken,” she concluded.

Alcaraz ignores record pressure

Since rapidly ascending to the world No. 1 ranking at just 19—the youngest player in history to achieve the feat—Alcaraz has faced intense scrutiny regarding his potential to rewrite tennis history.

Despite the monumental expectations, the Spanish phenom maintains that he is motivated by passion, not record books. “I don’t feel any extra pressure,” Alcaraz said during a press conference at this year’s Laver Cup.

“I don’t think about being the best ambassador for tennis or having that responsibility. Every player is an ambassador of this sport. I just try to do my best in every match. I love playing tennis, and that’s why I enjoy it so much,” he added.

The World No.1 emphasized that he actively blocks out the outside noise and focuses on entertaining the crowd: “I don’t do it to attract attention; I do it because I love playing. I don’t feel any kind of pressure. I just want to enjoy myself every time I step on the court and make the fans enjoy it too. For me, that’s the most important feeling, and that’s all I try to do”.

Alcaraz’s impressive career

Despite his youth, Carlos Alcaraz has already cemented one of the most remarkable résumés in modern tennis history. The Spanish prodigy currently owns six Grand Slam titles—including two French Opens, two Wimbledons, and two U.S. Opens—and holds the record as the youngest world No. 1 in ATP history.

In his brief but explosive career, the star was also the youngest player to conquer an ATP 500 tournament and the youngest to reach an Olympic final, where he snagged a silver medal in Paris. Alcaraz has compiled this extraordinary list of accomplishments, and he’s only 22 years old.

While she is best remembered for her doubles success alongside Argentina’s Paola Suarez, Ruano Pascual also earned singles titles and recorded a memorable victory in 2001 over the then-world No.1 on the WTA Tour.

Born on September 21, 1973, in Madrid, she turned professional in 1992 after a long journey through the junior ranks. In a 2020 interview with El Español, Ruano Pascual reflected on her beginnings: “I did a lot of sports as a child. I started with gymnastics at INEF, but my parents had to take me there and it was far away. Near where I lived there was a tennis club where my brother played, and that’s where I started training and really grew to like the sport. But I also practiced judo, handball… I loved doing sports”.

A notable singles career

The early years on tour were largely about adapting to the demands of professional tennis, but by 1997 Virginia Ruano Pascual captured her first WTA singles title in Cardiff.

She followed it up the next year with another title in Budapest, while her third and final singles crown came in Tashkent in 2005. Her career-high singles ranking was No. 28, achieved in 1999.

At Grand Slams, Ruano Pascual produced some memorable runs. She reached the quarterfinals at Roland Garros in 1995 and at the Australian Open, while her most famous singles win came at Wimbledon in 2001, when she stunned then-world No.1 Martina Hingis in the opening round.

A brilliant doubles career

Alongside her singles achievements, Virginia Ruano Pascual built an outstanding doubles career, most notably partnering with Argentina’s Paola Suarez. Together, they captured an incredible 10 Grand Slam titles and dominated the women’s game, holding the No.1 doubles ranking between 2003 and 2005. She also added a mixed doubles crown at Roland Garros in 2001 with compatriot Tomas Carbonell.

On the Olympic stage, Ruano Pascual earned two silver medals: the first with Conchita Martinez in Athens 2004, and the second with Anabel Medina Garrigues in Beijing 2008. Without question, her doubles legacy is what defines her as one of Spain’s most accomplished players.

The day she took aim at Venus and Serena Williams

In 2010, as she announced her retirement, Virginia Ruano Pascual sparked headlines with candid remarks about Serena and Venus Williams during an interview with Eurosport. She acknowledged the sisters’ impact on the game but also argued they had, in some ways, hurt women’s tennis.

“Women’s tennis is going through a slump, one we saw coming but didn’t prevent, and now we’re paying the price,” Ruano Pascual said. “The Williams sisters helped tennis evolve in one way, but they also damaged it a bit. If after becoming No.1 you use it as a springboard to become a model or an actress… if you’re a tennis player, you’re a tennis player”.

Life after tennis

Since hanging up her racquet, Ruano Pascual has remained closely tied to the sport. She works as a television commentator and also serves as tournament director of the El Espinar event in her native Spain, continuing her influence off the court.

However, after a string of disappointing results, the Ukrainian has decided to bring her demanding 2025 season to an early close, opting out of the upcoming Asian swing in September and October.

Now 31, Svitolina is married to fellow tennis star Gael Monfils and together they share a daughter. As she explained, her priorities today go beyond competition—placing mental health above all else.

The world No. 13 admitted she is exhausted after a year spent traveling the globe. While her results were solid overall, recent early exits have left her drained and ultimately convinced her to step back and begin preparing for 2026.

Most recently, Svitolina fell to Jasmine Paolini in the Billie Jean King Cup, following first-round losses at both the US Open and the WTA 1000 in Cincinnati. A drop in the rankings is expected, but before the new year she took to social media to announce that her season is officially over.

Elina Svitolina’s heartfelt message

“I haven’t been feeling like myself lately. I’m not in the right emotional space, and I don’t feel ready to play, so I’m ending my season here. Over the years, I’ve learned that this sport isn’t about money, fame, or rankings—it’s about being ready to fight and give everything you have. Right now, I’m simply not at that level mentally or emotionally to do that.

Not every day has to be productive, strong, or full of energy. Some days feel heavy, and that doesn’t make me weak. It just means I’m human, and I need time to rest, to feel, to breathe, and to simply be.

So I’m giving myself the space I need to heal and recharge instead of forcing it. When I step back on the court, I want to fight with everything I have and put my best self out there—for the fans, for the game, and for myself. Love, Elina,” she wrote on her Instagram account.

Born on July 11, 1990, in Odense, Denmark, Wozniacki grew up in a sports-oriented family. Her mother played volleyball in Poland, her father was a soccer player, and her brother was also an athlete. Her father, Piotr Wozniacki, coached her throughout her career. Caroline chose tennis and excelled nationally, across Europe, and as a junior.

At just 15, she reached the Australian Open junior final in 2006, losing to Anastasia Pavlyuchenkova, and won Wimbledon juniors, defeating Magdalena Rybarikova in the final.

The rise of Caroline Wozniacki

By 2006–2007, Wozniacki had established herself on the WTA Tour. She won her first professional titles in 2008 and reached the US Open final in 2009, falling to Kim Clijsters. In 2010, she became world No. 1 for the first time, continuing a career marked by consistent success. In 2014, she returned to a Grand Slam final at the US Open but lost to Serena Williams.

Her dream of winning a Grand Slam came true in 2018 when she captured the Australian Open title, defeating Simona Halep in the final. Wozniacki retired from professional tennis in 2020, became a mother to Olivia (2021) and James (2022), then returned to competition in 2023, playing through 2024.

She welcomed her third child in July 2025, and while she has not officially announced retirement, it appears she will not return to the tour. Over her career, Wozniacki amassed 30 titles and held the No.1 ranking.

Threats to her family

One of the darkest moments in Wozniacki’s career occurred at the 2018 Miami Open (WTA 1000), where she lost to Monica Puig. After the match, she revealed the harassment she endured:

“During the match that night, there were people in the stands threatening my family, wishing death on my father and mother, calling me names I cannot repeat, and telling my fiancé’s nephews to sit down and shut the f— up. Security and tournament officials did nothing to prevent this and even allowed it to happen,” Wozniacki explained, then ranked No. 2 in the world. “While I always encourage fans to support their favorite player, when certain lines are crossed, tennis is horrible for both competitors,” she added.

The controversial Serena Williams impersonation

In 2012, during an exhibition match against Maria Sharapova in São Paulo, Wozniacki tried a lighthearted gesture, placing towels under her clothes to mimic Serena Williams’ body.

While the crowd laughed, the moment sparked backlash online. Feministing.com criticized the move, writing: “Given the historical and current context of racialized beauty standards and the hypersexualization of people of color, it’s considered racist when a white woman makes fun of a Black woman’s body, especially in a way that hypersexualizes it”.

The debut episode drops Wednesday, September 17, recorded at the historic Arthur Ashe Stadium, the iconic home of the US Open. According to the AP, the podcast will be distributed exclusively on X (formerly Twitter), with new episodes releasing every two weeks.

In a statement shared on the platform, the sisters said the first episode would include exclusive content, covering everything from their intense on-court rivalry to their Grand Slam triumphs and life reflections.

“We’re so excited to launch our first episode at the iconic Arthur Ashe Stadium,” Serena and Venus said on X. “This place holds so many meaningful memories for us and is the perfect spot for the debut. We look forward to connecting directly with lifelong fans and welcoming new listeners in a unique and authentic way”.

Serena, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 73 career trophies, added that the podcast goes beyond tennis. “The world is ready for the real conversations Venus and I will have on this podcast. Don’t worry, it’s not just about tennis — it’s our unfiltered truth,” she explained.

This marks the sisters’ first joint venture outside the sport. Serena stepped back from competitive tennis in 2022, while Venus returned to professional play this year, competing in singles, doubles, and mixed doubles at the US Open. Now, the Williams sisters are teaming up again — this time, trading rackets for microphones.

Venus and Serena’s rivalry and doubles legacy

Both sisters reached world No. 1 in singles, the only sisters to do so. Venus first claimed the top spot in February 2002 (11 weeks), while Serena held No. 1 for 316 weeks, starting in July 2002.

From the 2002 French Open through the 2003 Australian Open, the Williams sisters became the only women in the Open Era to meet in four consecutive Grand Slam finals, all won by Serena.

Despite their singles rivalry, the sisters formed one of the most successful doubles teams in tennis history, winning 22 titles, including 14 Grand Slam doubles crowns and three Olympic gold medals.

In a recent interview with The Guardian, Mouratoglou made a controversial statement about playing professional tennis carrying extra weight. “Tennis is a sport where you cannot afford to have excess weight,” the former Williams coach said.

“First, because of the strain on your joints—if you struggle here, your chances decrease significantly. Second, tennis requires constant changes of direction at high speed; even a single extra kilo can make a big difference,” he added.

Mouratoglou reflects on Williams’ career and challenges with weight

During his time coaching Serena Williams, Mouratoglou helped her win 10 Grand Slam singles titles, an Olympic gold medal, three consecutive year-end championships, and regain the No. 1 spot in the WTA rankings. However, the French coach also recalled one of the challenges he faced with the American legend.

“In Serena’s case, she was older, and we knew her body wouldn’t respond like it used to, so the risk of injury was even higher,” Mouratoglou explained. He also revealed that they occasionally clashed over Williams’ weight: “In the past, we had a few disputes about her weight. I remember she didn’t like me bringing it up and said I was judging her”.

“I kept telling her that I didn’t care about her appearance—that wasn’t my job. My job was her tennis. But if she wanted to get back to the top and make history, we had to be efficient at every level, including physically. Now I see that she’s leaner, and if she had been in this condition years ago… the results would have surely been better,” Mouratoglou added.

Over her storied career, Williams amassed 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 doubles titles, four Olympic gold medals, and 73 overall singles trophies, cementing her status as one of the greatest players in tennis history.

Mouratoglou reflects on his split with Naomi Osaka

Patrick Mouratoglou coached Naomi Osaka until July 2025, and the French coach recently explained why their professional relationship ended. “The results weren’t strong enough, which made sense,” Mouratoglou said. “We did a lot of good work, especially in practice, but anything can go wrong when it comes to competing. I saw her improve a lot—her mentality was excellent—but she didn’t perform as well during matches, and that ultimately held her back”.

Looking back, Mouratoglou admitted he could have done more: “I didn’t do a good enough job; otherwise, the results would have been there. I also think that being my student was a bit heavy for her, given the many years I spent with Serena, which she mentioned several times. I never figured out how to take that pressure off her, to help her feel freer. Surely, without that pressure, she could have expressed herself more openly, but there are no hard feelings—she remains a great competitor”.

By capturing both the 2024 and 2025 editions, Sabalenka became the first woman to successfully defend her US Open title since Serena Williams in 2014. After losses in the Australian Open and Roland Garros finals, as well as a Wimbledon semifinal exit, the Belarusian secured her first Major of the season, bringing her career total to four Grand Slam titles.

Sabalenka entered the match against Anisimova with a 6-3 head-to-head disadvantage, including a semifinal loss to the American at Wimbledon. However, this final played out differently, as Sabalenka claimed the first set 6-4 by breaking her opponent’s serve in the opening game.

In the second set, Sabalenka served for the championship at 5-4, but Anisimova broke back to force a tiebreak, which Sabalenka ultimately won 7-3. With this victory, she has now won 19 consecutive tiebreaks, the most by any woman in the Open Era.

Anisimova reflects on loss to Sabalenka

The American had stunned fans by defeating Iga Swiatek in the semifinals, avenging her 6-0, 6-0 loss to the Polish star in the Wimbledon final. However, she couldn’t overcome a Sabalenka who has posted an incredible 39-2 record on hard courts since 2023.

“It’s been a great summer. Losing in two finals in a row is tough, but it’s also a valuable experience. I think I didn’t fight hard enough for my dreams today,” Anisimova said during her on-court interview. “I want to say congratulations to Aryna. You are incredible. I know I face you a lot, but I’m in awe of what you’ve accomplished. You keep achieving amazing things. Big congrats to you and your team—you guys are incredible”.

Sabalenka also offered heartfelt words to her opponent, assuring her that her first Grand Slam title will come. “Congrats, Amanda, on reaching back-to-back Slam finals. I know how much it hurts to lose in the final, but trust me—the moment you win your first one, it will be even sweeter. You play incredible tennis. Congratulations to you and your team on everything you’ve achieved since your comeback. You’re going to enjoy that victory even more after these tough losses,” Sabalenka said.

Both Williams and Sharapova reached No. 1 in the world, collected multiple Grand Slam titles, won Olympic medals, and became global icons—known not only for their dominance on the court but also for their marketability and style. Even in retirement, their fashion statements and lasting influence on the sport continue to be remembered.

While both athletes built multimillion-dollar empires largely through endorsements, their on-court earnings alone were staggering. Sharapova collected $38,777,962 in WTA prize money over her career, while Williams earned an unmatched $94,816,730, according to the WTA official website.

One of tennis’ defining rivalries

Williams turned pro in 1995, six years before Sharapova joined the professional ranks. Sharapova competed for 19 years, while Williams stretched her career to 27. Their first meeting came in 2004, with Williams taking the victory. But later that same year, Sharapova stunned the tennis world by beating her in the Wimbledon final.

Sharapova followed it up with another win over Williams that season, but from then on, the rivalry became one-sided. The two faced each other 19 more times, and Williams won every single match. The head-to-head finished 20–2 in Williams’ favor.

Sharapova retired with 51 career singles titles, including five Grand Slams, while Williams collected 73 titles, including 23 Grand Slams, cementing her status as one of the greatest players in history.

Serena’s gesture toward Sharapova

In August 2025, Maria Sharapova was inducted into the Tennis Hall of Fame. Serena Williams not only attended the ceremony but also delivered a heartfelt tribute to her longtime rival.

“If you’re an athlete, over time you find yourself with the other athletes in the room. And as we got to know each other and pushed ourselves year after year, Maria and I found ourselves at the same tables and the same events, talking a little more without a Grand Slam match the next day,” Williams said.

“We let our guard down. Little by little, we started to see each other differently. One year it was a casual chat. The next, a serious conversation. Until one day, it just clicked. We left everything on the court in every match. We both hated losing more than anything in the world. We both knew the other was the biggest obstacle between us and the trophy. That’s the root of why we’re here,” she added.

In a recent speech, Williams reflected on their storied rivalry, offering an emotional commentary on their evolved relationship. “In 2004, Maria stunned the world with a Wimbledon victory, which for me was the toughest loss of my career. That match didn’t just make her a champion; it launched one of the most talked-about rivalries in tennis history,” Williams remarked.

She continued: “The competitive fire was real; you could feel it, and hear it, with all of Maria’s grunting (laughs).” Williams also addressed Sharapova directly, reflecting on the past and their relationship today.

“Honestly, I might be the last person you’d expect to see here tonight. We had our differences. To the world, it seemed we were miles apart, but in reality, we weren’t,“ Williams told Sharapova before an audience at the International Tennis Hall of Fame induction ceremony.

Sharapova responds to Williams on social media

Amidst the emotional atmosphere of the event, where both legends shared smiles and reminisced about pivotal moments in their careers, Sharapova took to social media to express her gratitude. On Instagram, she wrote a sincere message in response to Serena’s tribute on Saturday night.

“Thank you for having my back tonight, Serena. It meant the world to me,” Sharapova posted following her induction into the International Tennis Hall of Fame. Her illustrious career, particularly in the early 2000s, set remarkable standards for future generations.

Celebrating Sharapova’s career achievements

Sharapova’s impact on tennis extends beyond her on-court prowess. She is celebrated as one of the most influential players, securing five Grand Slam titles, three of which were won during the 2000s, including the memorable triumph over Williams in 2004.

Furthermore, Sharapova made history by reaching the World No. 1 ranking, achieving this remarkable milestone at just 18 years old. She was the first Russian woman to hold this prestigious position, maintaining it for a total of 21 weeks throughout her career.

In addition to her Grand Slam victories, she won the year-end WTA Tour Championships in 2004, once again defeating Serena. Sharapova also earned a silver medal in singles at the 2012 London Olympics and carried the Russian national flag at the Opening Ceremony, marking the first time a female athlete had this honor.

Gauff powered past Italy’s Lucia Bronzetti 6-2, 6-4 in the Cincinnati Open’s Round of 16 and will next face either Jasmine Paolini or Barbora Krejcikova in the quarterfinals.

But beyond advancing, Thursday’s win secured her a place in history, surpassing none other than Serena Williams — a legend of American tennis alongside her sister Venus.

Since the Tier I/WTA 1000 format was introduced in 1990, Gauff has now reached 19 quarterfinals at that level before turning 22, edging past Williams’ mark of 18. That total ranks her third all-time, trailing only Maria Sharapova (20) and Martina Hingis, whose jaw-dropping 39 quarterfinals before the age of 22 may never be touched.

Gauff on her game plan against Bronzetti

Gauff entered the Round of 16 far fresher than her opponent. While Bronzetti had battled through three matches to reach this stage, Gauff had played just once after her previous opponent, Dayana Yastremska, withdrew. The extra rest showed.

The American said her strategy was to stay aggressive from the start — and it worked. Bronzetti struggled to counter Gauff’s pace and precision, falling in straight sets to a player who had enjoyed four days off between matches.

“For the most part I played aggressive,” Gauff said in her on-court interview. “Maybe got a little passive in some of those games. But it’s tough — the balls are super light and they fly, and she wasn’t giving me much pace, so I was just trying to play controlled but also aggressive“.