Serena Williams Clarifies 'I Am Not Retired' and Says Chances of Her Return are 'Very High'

Serena Williams.Photo: COREY SIPKIN/AFP/GettyThe chances ofSerena Williamsmaking a return to the tennis court are “very high,” according to the champion herself.During an appearance at TechCrunch Disrupt in San Francisco, the 41-year-old athlete said she is “not retired,” according toThe SF Standard.“The chances of me returning are very high,” Williams continued. “You can come to my house and [see], I have a court.“Williams last played competitively in September during the US Open, whereshe received an emotional send-offafter losing to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round.

Serena Williams Hasn't Taken a Break Since Her Last Tennis Match: 'I Needed to Keep Going'

Serena Williamsmay have thought she would have more free time afterfinishing her last match at the US Open this year— but she hasn’t slowed down since.Williams, whose decades-long tennis career ended with a third-round loss in the 2022 US Open, appeared on Friday’s episode ofPEOPLE Every Dayto chat about retired life, as well as her new fragrance collaboration with Lincoln Motor Company.In the episode, Williams, 41, told host Janine Rubenstein that after her final match, she “was working literally the next day,” and that taking time off would have been more challenging for her due to the emotions aroundwhat might have been her retirement from the sport.

Serena Williams Opens Up About 'Mental Fitness' with Selena Gomez: 'I Have Serious Boundaries'

Photo: getty (2) Serena Williamsis getting candid about her mental health. “Mental fitness for me is just really learn[ing] to shut down,” Williams, 40, said. “And you know I did this years ago, before even mental health was a topic among everyone’s mind.” “It was more just like, alright, I’m shutting myself down today. Just subconsciously, it was something I’ve always done,” she continued. “And so now that I know that it’s so important to just put yourself first, especially mentally, I always have shut down moments.

Serena Williams Reveals Why She Spent 'All Night' on Her Look for Meghan Markle's Royal Wedding

Serena Williams and Alexis Ohanian.Photo: Ian West - WPA Pool/Getty Serena Williamsbrought her signature style toMeghan MarkleandPrince Harry’s 2018 royal wedding — despite the “very long process.” “I love this image,” the athlete said upon seeing the photo of her and husbandAlexis Ohanianat Windsor Castle. “This is at the royal wedding, when my friend Meghan married Harry.” After describing her dress, jewels and fascinator, William said, “What’s so iconic about this is I was like, ‘Royal wedding?

Serena Williams Says She Regrets Turning Down Virgil Abloh's Original Outfit Idea for French Open

Photo: Tim Clayton/Corbis via GettySerena Williamsis still mourning the loss of friend and fashion powerhouseVirgil Abloh–– and the opportunity to have worn one of his most daring designs.The tennis superstar tellsVoguein afilm tributefor the late designer that she regrets turning down the initial envelope-pushing look he designed for her to wear at the 2019 French Open.Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.