Belarus' Aryna Sabalenka celebrates after victory against Ukraine's Elina Svitolina during their women's singles semi-final match on day twelve of the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne on January 29, 2026. (Photo: AFP)MELBOURNE, Australia — World number one Aryna Sabalenka said it would be “cool” to see Serena Williams return to tennis after the American great refused to rule it out when asked, and instead replied: “I don’t know. Asked about the prospect of Serena returning, Australian Open finalist Sabalenka said she had not spoken to anyone about it. “Serena denied (in December) she’s coming back, but I think unless she gets injured there is no doubt she’s going to play somewhere at some point. “Whether that’s the mixed doubles at the US Open, whether that’s doubles with her sister somewhere, whether it’s singles, only she knows.