Serena Williams cites Tom Brady for reason she could return to Tennis

When it comes to the retirement of elite athletes, the phrase “never say never” is extremely relevant. Fans saw that with Tom Brady’s retirement and return just weeks later, and now Serena Williams is hinting at a similar potential path.

Coinciding with an appearance on the September cover of Vogue, Williams discussed her impending retirement in August, ahead of her appearance at the U.S. Open, where she advanced to the third round and knocked out world No. 2 Anett Kontaveit in an incredible second-round match.

Williams performed very well despite playing very little tennis this year in the lead-up to the Open. While she seems focused on “evolving from tennis,” as she has referred to retirement, after her loss to Ajla Tomljanović, she said that she doesn’t think she’ll play professionally again, but “you never know. I don’t know.”