Serena Williams sparks Australian Open rumours after post: 'Bored'

Serena Williams has garnered attention that she could be set for a return to tennis after a photo was posted of her on the court with her sister Venus. Williams announced ahead of the US Open that she would "evolve" away from the sport after a career that had expanded more than 20 years and brought with it 23 grand slam trophies.

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The 40-year-old was farewelled in front of an adoring home crowd as tributes poured in from all over the tennis world for one of the greatest players ever. Recently, Williams made headlines when she she 'wasn't retired' at a Tech Crunch in October.

And in a move that had tennis fans speculating, Williams initially put up a photo of a tennis racquet with the caption: "I'm a little bored". Later, Polish tennis player Urszula Radwanska posted a photo on her instagram on court with both Serena and her older sister Venus Williams.

This sparked speculation that Williams could be preparing for an Australian Open tilt next year.

A Williams return wouldn't be out of the question considering the 23-time grand slam champion has refused to rule out a comeback since the US Open.

In October, speaking at Tech Crunch, Williams announced she was in fact 'not retired' and the chances of her returning was high.

“I am not retired," she said in San Fransisco.

“The chances [of me returning] are very high. You can come to my house and [see] I have a court."

She also didn't rule out a comeback when she appeared not long after her 'retirement' match on the Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon.

The host asked if there was any chance of Williams pulling a 'Tom Brady', which saw the NFL icon backflip on his retirement announce and return to the Tampa Bay Buccaneers.

And Williams replied with a cryptic message about a return.

"Tom Brady started an amazing trend," Williams said.

"That's all I am going to say."

Williams was gifted a fairytale farewell at her home grand slam in NEw York.

Her defeat to Ajla Tomljanovic in the Round of 16 was met with the kind of fanfare that suggested she was calling time on an illustrious career.

She finished with 23 grand slam titles, the second most in history behind Margaret Court.

with AAP

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