Serena Williams 'not retired' and says her chances of playing again 'are very high'

Serena Williams reacts after beating Danka Kovinic during their 2022 US Open first round match at the USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center in New York, on August 29, 2022. AFP

Serena Williams hits to Danka Kovinic on day one of the 2022 US Open. Reuters

Serena Williams is greeted by her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr following her victory against Danka Kovinic. AFP

Serena Williams poses for a photo with family and friends following her victory against Danka Kovinic at the US Open. Getty Images

Serena Williams is greeted by her husband Alexis Ohanian. AFP

Serena Williams speaks with Gayle King during a ceremony honoring her career after her match against Danka Kovinic on day one of the 2022 US Open. Reuters

Anna Wintour watches a tribute to Serena Williams after she defeated Danka Kovinic during their first round match. EPA

Actor Hugh Jackman was part of the more than 23,000 fans on Arthur Ashe Court to watch Serena Williams at the US Open. EPA

Singer Gladys Knight watches a tribute to Serena Williams. EPA

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro. AFP

Actress Queen Latifah watches from the stands during the match between Serena Williams and Danka Kovinic. Reuters

Serena Williams signs autographs. AFP

Serena Williams of the United States signs autographs. AFP

Serena Williams returns a shot Danka Kovinic at USTA Billie Jean King National Tennis Center on August 29, 2022 in the Flushing neighborhood of the Queens borough of New York City. AFP

Serena Williams of the United States celebrates against Danka Kovinic of Montenegro. AFP

Model Bella Hadid poses for a selfie with a fan during a changeover in the match between Serena Williams and Danka Kovinic. Reuters

Designer Vera Wang, left, watches from the stands. Reuters

Serena Williams waves to the crowd after her match against Danka Kovinic. Reuters

Actreess Rebel Wilson kisses girlfriend Ramona Agruma while sitting in a box with Lindsey Vonn and boyfriend Diego Osorio. Reuters

A fan reacts after Serena Williams wins her first round match against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic. Reuters

Billie Jean King speaks after Serena Williams of the United States beat Danka Kovinic of Montenegro at the US Open. Getty Images

Serena Williams shakes hands with Danka Kovinic after their first-round match. Reuters

Serena Williams reaches for a forehand. Reuters

Serena Williams greets former US tennis player Billie Jean King during a tribute after Williams' match against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic during their 2022 US Open. AFP

US player Serena Williams reacts during a tribute in her honor after defeating Montenegro's Danka Kovinic. AFP

Serena Williams shoes bearing her initials. Reuters

Serena Williams in action during her first round match against Montenegro's Danka Kovinic. Reuters

Serena Williams plays a shot. Reuters

Serena Williams of the USA after beating Danka Kovinic of Montenegro. Reuters

Serena Williams has seemingly walked back on her decision to retire from tennis, saying that the chances of her returning are "very high".

The American, 41, had previously indicated that she would step away from the sport after last month's US Open.

"I am not retired," Williams said at a conference in San Francisco while promoting her investment company, Serena Ventures.

"The chances [of a return] are very high. You can come to my house, I have a court."

Williams wrote in a Vogue article in August she was "evolving away from tennis" but with the caveat that she had never "liked the word retirement".

And 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.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who took the tennis world by storm as a teenager and is considered by many the greatest of all time, said not preparing for a tournament after the US Open did not feel natural to her.

"I still haven't really thought about [retirement]," Williams said.

"But I did wake up the other day and go on the court and [considered] for the first time in my life that I'm not playing for a competition, and it felt really weird.

"It was like the first day of the rest of my life and I'm enjoying it, but I'm still trying to find that balance."