The chatter around the grounds at Roland Garros isn't just about who is currently winning matches—it's about a potential return from one of the greatest to ever pick up a racket. Even though Serena Williams hasn’t played a competitive match since the 2022 U.S. Open, her name is taking center stage at the French Open as rumors circulate that she might be eyeing a return to the court.

Coco Gauff, who is actively focused on defending her French Open title, spoke about the buzzing rumors after winning her second-round match against Mayar Sherif. Gauff didn't hold back when asked how she felt about the possibility of Williams making a return.

Gauff admitted that never getting the chance to share the court with Williams remains one of the biggest regrets of her professional career. She mentioned that while everyone in Paris is hearing the same whispers, the truth should come out in just a matter of days. For Gauff, simply having a presence like Williams back on the tour would be an incredible lift for the entire sport.

The rumor mill really started spinning following a report from Simon Briggs of The Telegraph, which indicated that Williams is mapping out a return to the grass courts at the Queen's Club tournament in London next month.

Getting back on the tour requires a bit of behind-the-scenes logistical work, and Williams has quietly been checking those boxes. She re-entered the anti-doping testing pool late last year, fulfilling a mandatory six-month requirement that retired players must complete before they can register for a professional tournament. With that window now cleared, reports indicate she has officially requested a wild-card invitation for the upcoming grass-court event.

Tennis insider Jon Wertheim shed more light on the potential plans during an episode of Andy Roddick’s "Served" podcast, reporting that Williams is looking to enter the doubles draw at Queen's Club. Her rumored partner is 19-year-old Canadian rising star Victoria Mboko.

Roddick teased his listeners by saying he knows a bit too much about the situation to talk completely openly about it on air, but he noted that a player doesn't willingly put themselves back into the random drug-testing protocol unless they are serious about competing. Roddick added that if Williams wants to find that old magic on the court, the grass surface at Wimbledon is easily her best opportunity.

While Williams herself hasn't confirmed or denied the reports publicly, she did give her followers a little tease on social media back on May 19. She shared a video of a training session alongside her youngest daughter, Adira Ohanian, with a caption hinting that a new trainer was helping her get back into competitive shape.