Tennis coverage in the US just received a dazzling makeover as the Roland Garros made a historic leap from NBC and Peacock to TNT, TBS, and truTV as part of a blockbuster $650 million deal with Warner Bros. Discovery. Kicking off this weekend, TNT launched its 10-year broadcast partnership with the French Open, with every match being streamed on Max. But the true headline-stealer? None other than Venus Williams, who lit up the studio desk with her debut in a brand-new role as a broadcaster.

Craig Barry, TNT Sports’ executive vice president and chief content officer, shared his optimism: “I think we’re at a little bit of a crossroads or a renaissance with tennis. You have a lot of young, super, athletic, potential superstars, both, on the international side, on the U.S. side. And so I think it’s really in a good place to take the coverage and look at it with a fresh lens.” And contributing to the fresh lens is Venus Williams, who’s making her broadcast debut with TNT. But wait: how’s this exciting new chapter unfolding for Venus, though? Well, safe to say, she’s embracing it with grace, charm, and just a hint of 1st-day jitters.

Talking to the TNT broadcasting team at Roland Garros, the 7-time GS winner shared her experience on the mic for the first time. “Listen, I am really nervous. I’m like, ‘am I gonna cancel myself by saying something crazy?!’ Everybody’s like be yourself, I am trying. But it’s interesting to be on this side, right? When you become a player, your mind is already on the next match, you really don’t think about this interview. You kind of just through it. But as a broadcaster, journalist, you wanna do your best, hopefully people watch, hopefully fans get some sort of insight about what it’s like to be a player. What it’s like to be out there,” she confessed.

It’s been over a year since the icon Venus Williams last competed in a WTA event, with her last appearance taking place at the Miami Open in the previous season. Fans have been eagerly anticipating her return to the court, and earlier this year, it seemed that her comeback might happen at Indian Wells. The tournament organizers even extended her a wildcard entry. However, defying expectations, Venus turned down the offer and decided to delay her return to professional play.

Instead, she took a new route. It was only a few weeks ago that Venus announced that she would be writing a new chapter in her tennis journey by joining the TNT Sports broadcast team for the French Open. She tweeted, “I’m excited to join @tntsports as a commentator for @rolandgarros, alongside this incredible roster of athletes! Stay tuned for our coverage to start on Sunday, May 25. #RolandGarros 🎾” She also shared the exciting announcement on her IG stories, delighting her fans worldwide.

Now, as the tennis icon returns, not with a racquet, but with a mic, many are wondering: Does this shift hint at an official farewell or a shift in career outside of the court? 

Venus Williams shares her plans for coaching after retirement

Last September, during a candid conversation with Vivian Tu, also known as Your Rich BFF, Venus Williams was asked if she’d ever consider stepping into coaching after retirement. Her answer? A resounding and unmistakable, “NO.” With characteristic humor and honesty, the 44-year-old laid out exactly why that path doesn’t appeal to her.

Venus added, “No. I don’t want to be in the sun. I’ve had too much sun. I’m surprised, I’m not a raisin now, like, just by the grace of God. And I’m impatient, so I can’t be that patient. I can’t travel to tournaments. I can’t wait on rain delays. I can’t wait for a five-setter to finish so we can get on the court. No, I won’t.”

Despite her firm stance, Venus did leave a small door open for a shift in perspective someday. “But there might be some time 10 years from now that I’d say, ‘Okay, that might be fun to go back to the tournaments and occasionally go a few weeks a year.’ I could never be a full-time coach, though.”

Now, with a new chapter underway at the Roland Garros broadcast desk, the American icon is relishing her role behind the mic. For the next 2 weeks, she’ll bring expert insight and championship-level perspective until a new king and queen are crowned on Parisian clay. A farewell in disguise, or a break before the comeback trail begins? What’s your take on this?