She’s been silent—until now. But what Serena Williams just revealed is sending shockwaves through the entire sports world. A career-defining decision? A betrayal? Or something no one ever saw coming? Fans, rivals, and insiders are scrambling for answers. The era of dominance might not be over… but everything is about to c

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.Activewear

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).

Serena Williams at the National Bank Open in 2022, the year she retired. Picture: Vaughn Ridley/Getty Images/AFP.Activewear

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.

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.