The mysterious training video of Serena Williams ignites discussions online: Is a return at the US Open possible?

With less than six weeks until the final Grand Slam of the 2025 season, Serena Williams has reignited discussions about her possible return to the Flushing Meadows courts.

On July 18, the 23-time Grand Slam champion shared a brief video on Instagram, where she returned to the court, with a simple cartoon graphic and the phrase "Still Serena."

In an instant, fans flooded the comments section, transforming this brief post into a viral sensation.

At 43 years old, Williams announced a temporary departure from professional tennis in September 2022, stating she wanted to "evolve beyond the tour." Nevertheless, she has never fully embraced the term "retirement." Her exit from the sport is more about growth than farewell. She has expressed that retirement is not a word she identifies with.

However, with the US Open set to kick off from September 1 to 14, even a brief Instagram video is enough to ignite wild speculation.

In the video, Williams appears sharp, fluid in her movements, and effortlessly returning serves. The background music features Dr. Dre's "Still D.R.E.," a song that embodies resilience.

A key question lingers: Could Williams really return to the court and challenge one of the toughest Grand Slams in tennis? Critics point to her age and the long absence from top-level competition. However, underestimating her resilience would undoubtedly be a mistake. Williams last lifted the US Open singles trophy in 2014 and has dominated the hard courts in New York six times.

She made a brief comeback in 2022 after missing the first half of the season, but her performance was less than ideal, exiting in the first round at Wimbledon and reaching the third round at the US Open.

Her record is nothing short of legendary. Since turning professional in 1995, Williams rose to world No. 1 in July 2002 and held that position for an impressive 319 weeks. Her dominance in the Open Era is unparalleled, including 23 Grand Slam singles titles, surpassing any other female player, making her the most decorated women's singles champion in modern history.

At the US Open, she has been particularly dominant, winning the singles title in 1999, 2002, 2008, 2012, 2013, and 2014. Even in her 40s, Williams continues to demonstrate explosive power and precise striking, essential competitive elements on the hard courts of New York.

However, the current landscape of women's tennis is not to be underestimated. Players like Swiatek and Sabalenka have established themselves at the top, while American players such as Gauff, Keys, Navarro, and Pegula will also pose challenges for her.

Nevertheless, Serena Williams' personal charisma and competitive instinct may still influence the outcome of matches. Although she has not confirmed any official plans, this brief, thought-provoking Instagram post, released as the US Open approaches, is enough to keep speculation alive.

After saying goodbye to tennis in August 2023 and welcoming her second child, Serena has been committed to maintaining her strong athlete physique. Recent photos she shared on social media showcase her impressive training results, leaving fans in awe of her toned body and sculpted abs. In one powerful photo, Serena succinctly wrote, "Train, sculpt my angles."

Meanwhile, Serena and her sister Venus are set to launch a new video podcast series, which will be available on the X platform. "We are very excited to launch our new podcast, which will be a place to share our personal stories, have authentic conversations, focus on important topics, and laugh a lot," the Williams sisters stated in a joint announcement.

"This platform gives us the opportunity to engage directly with the fans who have supported us throughout our careers, and we are thrilled to connect with old fans and new audiences in a fresh way."(Source: Tennis House, Author: Huohua)