Serena Williams stuns tennis world with cryptic retirement reveal

Retired tennis icon Serena Williams has hinted that she could make a backflip on her decision to call time on her career in an interview with Jimmy Fallon.

Williams appeared on the Tonight Show after a farewell US Open campaign, which saw the tennis world laud the 23-time grand slam champ's achievements in the sport.

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The 40-year-old enjoyed two victories in her final slam, before Australian Ajla Tomljanovic knocked her out in the third round.

This week, Williams appeared on 'The Tonight Show' to speak with 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."

During an interview on ABC's "Good Morning America", the 23-times grand slam champion also reiterated the same message about the seven-timesSuper Bowl winner.

"I've just been saying that I think Tom Brady started a really cool trend," said a grinning Williams.

Serena Williams US Open fairytale

While Williams announced that she was closing the chapter on her tennis career, she hinted right after her final tennis match that she would never rule out a return.

After losing to Tomljanovic the gravity of the occasion hit Williams during an emotional post-match interview.

The tennis icon thanked her family for inspiring her to levels of greatness in women's tennis.

“It’s been a fun ride,” she said.

“Thank you daddy. Thanks mum. Oh my god, mum.

“I wouldn’t be here without them.”

Williams even teased fans with a response to a question about her future that suggested maybe this wasn't the end for the 41-year-old.

She replied: “I don’t think so, but you never know. I don’t know”.

Williams, who attended the Michael Kors fashion show in New York on Wednesday, announced her intention to retire from tennis in a Vogue essay last month.

While she did not confirm the US Open as her farewell event, she was given lavish tributes before each match in New York and waved an emotional goodbye after losing in the third round 11 days ago.

The American will walk away one major title short of Margaret Court's all-time record 24 grand slam singles crowns.

However, just before her final match, Williams claimed she had already broken Margaret Court's all-time tennis record.

Williams, though, remains the holder of the most grand slam singles titles in the 54-year era of professional tennis, having eclipsed Steffi Graf's 22.

All up, she won six US Open titles, Wimbledon and the Australian Open seven times each and the French Open on three occasions.

with AAP

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