Serena Williams paired up with Ons Jabeur to win in her firsttennis match in a year on Tuesday.- Afterwards she conceded that her return to the sport could be short-lived.
Serena Williams refused to rule of retiring from tennis soon, even after producing a stunning comeback win in her first competitive match in a year.
The 40-year-old teamed up with Tunisia's Ons Jabeur to beat Sara Sorribes Tormo and Marie Bouzkova 2-6, 6-3, 13-11 in the Eastbourne International doubles on Tuesday.
Williams hadn't played since crashing out of Wimbledon last year with an injury in a first-round match.
Speaking after Tuesday's victory, Williams said that while it was "so much fun" to be back on the court, her comeback could be short-lived.
Asked by a reporter whether she wanted to keep playing into next year, Williams said: "I don't know, I can't answer that.
"I love tennis and I love playing or else I wouldn't be out here, but I also love what I do off the court.
"I love what I've built with Serena Ventures [her venture-capital firm] so it's interesting. It's a lot."
Williams is due to play in the singles at Wimbledon next week after receiving a wildcard for the tournament, at which she won seven of her 23 Grand Slam titles.
If Williams triumphs again this year and she would tie with Australian great Margaret Court for most Grand Slam singles titles in tennis history.
Last year's Wimbledon finalist Karolina Pliskova said Tuesday she believed it will be "super difficult" for Williams after her gap.
"It is a long time and she is not the youngest any more so I suppose the body also takes some time to get back into shape," said Pliskova, who was knocked out in her opening match of the women's singles at Eastbourne on Tuesday by Great Britain's Katie Boulter.
"I think it will be difficult, super difficult for her no matter which kind of player she is because this is a thing where you still need some time."