It was a tough moment for fans everywhere to see Serena Williams hang up her racket in 2022. After her last match at the US Open that year, the 23-time Grand Slam champ wrote a heartfelt letter in Vogue explaining why she was stepping away. To focus on her family and start a new chapter. But the echoes of her famous “come on!” and the power of her serve still resonate today, three years later. People even wonder—will she return?

Speaking on the Today show, Williams was asked just that. Surely, the question must hit a chord, right? But she’s adapted over the years. She said, “I kind of mute out everything. I’ve gotten really good at muting out the noise. But you know what, it’s a sport that I’ve always loved.” Fair enough, but surely she misses the competition.

Her answer was a no-brainer. “I do. I think there’s a part of me that will always miss tennis, because it was something you do for your entire life. From the day you remember, you always had a goal. Then one day you wake up, and that’s not your goal anymore, and it’s a huge change,” she said. She spent two decades on the court. “But at the same time, I have so many wonderful memories, you know? I’ve had so many great times, and yeah, I can always take solace in that.”

So there you have it. A return to tennis might not be in this chapter for Serena right now. But her sister Venus Williams is back and bringing energy to the court! After a 16-month break last season due to health issues and a knee injury, Venus faced the weight of possible retirement. But as she once said, “My little sister, Serena, told me I’m not allowed to quit, and of course, I would never quit.” Venus returned to the sport last month at the Citi Open and played in Cincinnati. She faced early exits but is returning to New York this year.

Serena cheers her sister from the sidelines. But coming back as a competitor? Not part of the plan—for now. However, leaving behind an illustrious career was certainly no easy move.

Serena Williams talks why she misses tennis

On April 16th, Williams earned her spot as one of TIME’s 100 Most Influential People. Sitting down with correspondent Sean Gregory, she opened up about her love for the tennis court. But also why it stings that she can’t return to it. “I miss it a lot, with all my heart. I miss it because I’m healthy. If I couldn’t walk, or if I was so out of it, I wouldn’t miss it as much. I think I’m healthy because I didn’t overplay,” she said, revealing a subtle triumph behind the scenes.

Serena’s iconic career kicked off in 1995 at just 14. Four years later, she claimed her first Grand Slam at the 1999 US Open—an event she’d dominate six times. Her last major win came in 2017 at the Australian Open while two months pregnant—a bold display of strength that sealed her legendary status. Earlier this year, she revealed that to be her biggest mic drop moment!

As her career wound down, her chase for a record-tying 24th Grand Slam kept the world hooked. Fans, including stars like Tiger Woods and her husband, Alexis Ohanian, gathered at Arthur Ashe Stadium alongside daughter Olympia to witness her historic final match on September 2nd, 2022.

However, now she only looks back at her time on the court fondly. As Serena told TIME, she wanted to focus on motherhood. “I think I’m good at it,” she said, “But I want to explore if I can be great at it.” And she’s consistently proved it for the past few years. From admitting her “obsession” with daughters Adira and Olympia to sharing unique family moments with Alexis, Serena Williams continues proving why she’s the all-time GOAT.