Elina Svitolina made a strong run at the Australian Open. Facing two-time champion Aryna Sabalenka was no easy task, yet she fought hard before bowing out in her first Melbourne semifinal. Still chasing that elusive first major final, Svitolina’s performance kept fans talking until the spotlight shifted to an unexpected topic off the court.

After the match, in her press conference, Svitolina was asked about the buzz surrounding Serena Williams’ possible return to tennis. The former World No.1 has reentered the ITIA testing pool, a requirement for anyone planning a comeback. Williams has brushed aside those rumors, but speculation remains alive. Svitolina, however, wasn’t aware of the buzz.

“Oh really? Wow, I didn’t hear that,” Elina Svitolina admitted. “Well, it would be amazing for the sport, definitely. She’s such a great champion and has achieved so much, did so much for the sport, and been an inspiration for women around the world. So it’s going to be a great story, for sure.”

The two have met before, including in a Grand Slam semifinal, just like this one. Back in 2019 at the US Open, Williams powered past Svitolina in straight sets before falling to Canadian Bianca Andreescu in the final.

On the other hand, as mentioned, Williams has refuted the rumors. On January 28, Williams joined Savannah Guthrie for a live chat on the Today show, and things heated up the moment tennis came into the conversation. Rumors about her possible comeback have been swirling for weeks.

“Recently, tell me if I have this right, you re-entered the drug testing pool, which some see as the precursor to a return to tennis,” Guthrie began. “So you know I have to ask, are you returning to professional tennis?”

Serena Williams burst into laughter, clearly amused but unwilling to give anything away. “I mean, really? Are you asking this on the Today show? Oh my gosh,” she said, playful yet noncommittal. When Guthrie pushed again—“Is that a no?”

But the 23-time Grand Slam champion shot back, “Is that a no?” Laughter echoed off camera, prompting her to quip, “All the people on your set that are laughing. This is distracting. You’re distracting us over there.”

Guthrie tried one last time, insisting, “Okay, but you didn’t say yes or no!” The moment hung in the air, leaving fans right where they started: Guessing. And now the rumor continues to stir the pot of the possible return of Williams to the court. Even Aryna Sabalenka was not left out.

Elina Svitolina’s opponent talks about Serena Williams comeback

Sabalenka marched into her fourth straight Australian Open final, a feat no one has matched since Martina Hingis in 2003. This season, the World No.1 is playing like a woman on a mission, and her semifinal win over Elina Svitolina only added to her growing list of milestones. When asked about Serena Williams, Sabalenka echoed the same question Svitolina faced earlier.

“I heard that she’s [Serena] enjoying her life,” Sabalenka said with a smile. “And whatever makes her happy, I’m happy for her. If she want to come back, that’s her decision. It’s going to be fun to see her back on tour. She got the personality, and she’s a fun one. It’s will be cool.”

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Pressed on whether players were talking about Serena’s possible comeback in the locker room, Sabalenka shrugged.

“I don’t know. No, we didn’t — me personally, I didn’t speak to anyone about that.”

Right now, there’s no doubt who’s running the show on the WTA Tour. Sabalenka has held the No.1 ranking for nearly 75 weeks and already owns four Grand Slam titles: Two in Melbourne and two in New York. Her dominance has turned her into the face of women’s tennis.

While Serena Williams isn’t confirming her return, it’s curious to think how these two would fare off against each other, right? FOr now, fans wait for an official word on why the American legend is on the ITIA testing pool list.

In the meantime, although Elina Svitolina will have to wait to make her comeback, Aryna has set up a second finals match at Melbourne Park with Elena Rybakina. Who will list the title at Australian Open this year?