Novak Djokovic wants to see Serena Williams kick off rumored comeback at Wimbledon
Williams has had the tennis world buzzing since she was officially cleared to compete in February.
For Novak Djokovic, the rumored Serena Williams comeback is less a question of “if” and more of “when,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion discussing his fellow GOAT at the BNP Paribas Open on Wednesday.
🖥️📲 Stream all matches from the 2026 BNP Paribas Open on the Tennis Channel App!
“Everybody is excited,” Djokovic said in his pre-tournament press conference, “and it’s definitely something that’s very highly anticipated. So, you know, let’s see.”
Williams shocked the tennis world in December when it was revealed that the former world No. 1, who had “evolved” away from tennis in 2022, had begun clearing the way for a potential comeback by re-entering the WADA testing pool. Officially able to compete as of this February, the 24-time Grand Slam champion has given no indication of when she may return to action. But Djokovic, who is the No. 3 seed at Indian Wells, had a few theories:
Q. Serena Williams has entered the doping protocol again.
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: She's coming back.
Q. Is she coming back?
*NOVAK DJOKOVIC: Is she coming back? Is that a question?
*Q. What do you think?
*NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I think she's coming back. I don't know. I haven't spoken to her, but I guess the sentiment is that she's coming back. Where and how, singles, doubles, we don't know, and if I'm in her position, I would hide it too.
Yeah, everybody is excited, and it's definitely something that's very highly anticipated. So, you know, let's see.
*Q. Do you think Wimbledon would be a good date?
NOVAK DJOKOVIC: I pick that one as well as her comeback, but yeah, I don't know. I think she might maybe play a doubles tournament or two with Venus. That would be nice to see, just from my point of view and tennis fans, for sure.
Yeah, and she's one of the greatest athletes, really. It would be great to have her back too.
Djokovic and Williams own the men’s and women’s Open Era records for Grand Slam victories, the former tied Margaret Court’s all-time record of 24 at the 2023 US Open. Djokovic was a win away from a 25th title at the Australian Open but fell in the final to Carlos Alcaraz.
Might this dream Williams return feature a Djokovic-Williams dream mixed team?