‘Doesn’t make sense’: Serena furore rages as Barty honour upstaged
Updated . First published
Andy Roddick has slammed the “bullshit” Hall of Fame drama surrounding Serena Williams, which has overshadowed Ash Barty’s nomination.
The beloved Australian tennis legend has been nominated for the sport’s 2026 class, but the massive honour has been upstaged by Williams’ surprise omission.
Serena Williams and Ash Barty. Getty
The three-time grand slam winner retired four years ago, despite being ranked No.1 in the world at the time and still just 25 years old.
Barty, Svetlana Kuznetsova and Juan Martín del Potro were all named in the ballot for the 2027 class, but Williams was not included, igniting debate over the guidelines for inductees.
Despite seemingly fitting the criteria, Williams – widely regarded as the greatest female player of all-time – missed out for next year’s class.
Under the rules, players must not be a “significant factor” on the ATP or WTA tour for five calendar years. Williams retired in 2022, but returned at Wimbledon this year when she injured her knee in a first round loss to Australia’s Maya Joint.
That brief return is unlikely to tick the “significant factor” box, but there is still a chance she will continue playing next year.
According to Roddick – who won the US Open in 2003 and made three finals at Wimbledon – her recent return shouldn’t force Williams to wait any longer.
“I know it’s supposed to reset the clock,” Roddick said on his Served podcast.
“Are we saying that if she plays another year, we are gonna wait for Serena to get into the Hall of Fame? Let’s say she plays next year. We are gonna wait until 2033, when Serena’s like 50, to put her into the Hall of Fame? Bullshit. Right now.
“If you get a unanimous yes, I don’t care how long you have been retired. Who would have actually cared if Serena came back right now and was already in the Hall of Fame? Who would say that’s wrong? That doesn’t make any sense.”
Williams has won 23 grand slam titles during her career to date and would be a shoo-in for the prestigious honour, but her recent comeback could mean she has to wait until 2031 to be nominated or inducted for the Hall of Fame.
The 45-year-old has only played five official matches this year, with two of them coming at majors, Wimbledon and the US Open.
