SVETLANA KUZNETSOVA has teased a potential return to professional tennis.
The two-time Grand Slam champion, 40, has not played since Wimbledon 2021.
Kuznetsova lost to little-known qualifier Lesley Pattinama Kerkhove at SW19 that year, and subsequently withdrew from the Tokyo Olympics because of injury.
Eventually losing her world ranking due to inactivity, it was assumed that the Russian was finished with pro tennis.
Having never formally retired, however, Kuznetsova left the door open ajar to return.
Recently chatting to Punto de Break, the former Roland Garros and US Open champion hinted that a comeback could still be possible – albeit with chances diminishing each year.
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Kuznetsova said: “People often ask me the question. I didn’t want to announce my retirement because, honestly, I didn’t know if I’d come back later.
“In fact, to this day, I still don’t know if I will. At the time, I didn’t know if I’d get tired of this other life, but today Venus Williams is still competing at 45. What if I had no injuries?
“What if I felt like giving it another shot? I wasn’t sure, which is why I didn’t say my goodbyes.
“I preferred to leave the door open in case I wanted to come back later. I have a slim chance of returning, and it’s getting slimmer every year.”
Venus Williams, 45, still pops up on tour from time to time and competed at last month’s Australian Open.
Her sister Serena, meanwhile, set tongues wagging last December when it emerged that she had re-entered the drug testing pool for active players.
During the Australian Open several high-profile figures within the sport suggested that Williams’ return aged 44 was imminent.
And it has also been tipped that the iconic former world No1 could announce her return in an advert during tonight’s Super Bowl.
Williams last played at the US Open in 2022.
She beat Danka Kovinic and No2 seed Anett Kontaveit to reach the third round, before eventually succumbing to Ajla Tomljanovic.
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