Hold your horses, tennis fans! Serena Williams just slammed the door on comeback rumors harder than one of her signature serves.

The tennis legend took to X (formerly Twitter) to squash speculation, declaring, "Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy."

So, what ignited this sudden flurry of comeback chatter? It all started when reports surfaced that Williams had reapplied to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA)'s International Registered Testing Pool.

ICYMI, being in that pool means athletes are subject to drug testing – a standard requirement for active players. Naturally, the internet went wild!

An ITIA spokesperson poured a bit of fuel on the fire, telling The Atlantic that while re-entry doesn't guarantee a return, they couldn't confirm or deny Williams was simply keeping her options open.

"All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts," the spokesperson stated, leaving fans hanging on every word.

Cue the online frenzy! Some fans felt a bit misled. One netizen questioned: "Then why did you apply to reenter the testing pool?"

Others are still in deep denial, clinging to the hope of seeing Serena back on the court.

“She retired, my denial did not. That’s the real wildfire here,” one fan quipped, capturing the mood of many.

Another fan playfully asserted, “We have decided on your behalf.” Apparently, wishful thinking is still alive and well!

And a third fan wrote: “The wildfire is a reflection of how much people miss you.” Aww, talk about love!

Let's rewind: Serena officially announced her retirement in August 2022, after her final appearance at the US Open.

Her last match was in September, a tough third-round defeat against Ajla Tomljanović. A heartbreaking end to an era.

In a deeply personal essay for Vogue, Williams explained her decision, saying, “These days, if I have to choose between building my tennis résumé and building my family, I choose the latter.”

Family definitely comes first for this tennis icon, who is a mother of two now.

She also shared the emotional toll of stepping away from the sport she dominated for so long. “There is no happiness in this topic for me. I know it’s not the usual thing to say, but I feel a great deal of pain,” she admitted.

“It’s the hardest thing that I could ever imagine. I hate it. I hate that I have to be at this crossroads.”

So, it seems like Serena's focus is firmly on family life and other ventures. But hey, never say never, right?

For now, though, let’s respect the Queen’s decision and appreciate the incredible legacy she’s already built.

Perhaps she just wants to keep in shape and doesn't want any speculation if she's seen at a tennis court.

And who knows, maybe she just enjoys the thrill of keeping the tennis world on its toes!

One thing is for sure: Serena Williams will always be a force, on and off the court.

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