Will she or won’t she? 

Even Novak Djokovic is wondering whether his fellow tennis legend, Serena Williams, is about to return to pro tennis.  

When Williams re-entered tennis’ anti-doping protocol last year, it led to fervent speculation that a comeback was on the cards for the 23-time Grand Slam winner who last played at the US Open four years ago. 

Williams, 44, was then eligible to return on February 22. 

She hasn’t made any comeback announcement yet but Djokovic is convinced that Williams will soon reappear. 

“I think she's coming back,” Djokovic told reporters in Indian Wells on Wednesday. “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 let's see.”

When it was suggested to Djokovic that Wimbledon might be her first tournament back, he didn’t disagree. 

“I pick that one as well…but I don't know. I think she might maybe play a doubles tournament or two with Venus,” said Djokovic, referring to Williams’ Grand Slam winning older sister. 

“That would be nice to see, just from my point of view and tennis fans, for sure. She's one of the greatest athletes, really. It would be great to have her back, too.”

Almost everyone would agree that Djokovic — a 24-time Grand Slam champ — is also among the greatest ever athletes. 

With motivation still high and his body holding up aged 38, he continues to compete — and well. 

Djokovic said he was further bolstered by reaching the Australian Open final this year. 

Even though he lost to Carlos Alcaraz, the current world No. 1 needed four sets to beat Djokovic. 

Djokovic had upset Jannik Sinner in the semifinals in five sets after the Italian beat him in two Slam semifinals in 2025. 

“Obviously that was an amazing start of the year for me,” said Djokovic. “It was just an incredible feeling to be able to beat Sinner in five sets in one of the epic matches that I played in recent times in Australia and then have another great match with Carlos, who was just too good in the end.

“For me that has been a phenomenal result. I have proven to myself primarily and to others that I can still compete at the highest level and beat these guys.”

In his immediate future, Djokovic seeks a first Indian Wells quarterfinal since claiming the last of his record-tying five titles in the desert in 2016. 

In three of his last four visits, a lucky loser (twice) or qualifier ousted him.  

“Indian Wells has been always a location that I was really happy to come back to in a tournament that I really love playing,” he said. “I haven't had great results and performances in the last 10 years, but in the first 10 years of my career, this was one of (my) best tournaments.”