Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce made it emphatically clear on Saturday that any talk of retirement at the end of the 2025 season is premature — and she let her performance do most of the talking.

The Jamaican sprint icon opened her season with a wind-assisted 10.94 (+3.1 m/s) to win her heat at Velocity Fest 17, held at the National Stadium in Kingston, before addressing media speculation surrounding her future in the sport.

Asked about reports that she had confirmed 2025 would be her final season, Fraser-Pryce brushed them aside with a wry smile. "Well, I haven’t confirmed that. So when I do, I’ll let you know,” she said.

It was a firm but diplomatic dismissal from the 38-year-old multiple-time Olympic and World Champion, who continues to defy age and expectation as she eyes yet another major championship season.

Returning to the track for the first time since the Olympic preliminary round in Paris France in 2024, Fraser-Pryce said her early start this year was a deliberate decision, after back-to-back seasons that were delayed by injury.

“I haven’t raced in a long time, so I really wanted to come out here and just get some practice,” she said. “In the last two years I have started my season late, so this year, of course, I’m healthy, feeling good, so I decided to come and see what’s up.”

While not giving away much about her competition schedule, she hinted at a more strategic approach in 2025.

“It feels good to start a bit earlier than usual,” she noted. “And again, it’s a long season — very long. So I’m really just making sure that I choose my races wisely and stay healthy and just continue to train.”

With her trademark explosive start and smooth acceleration already on display, Fraser-Pryce showed she’s still a force to be reckoned with, even in a season that could ultimately shape her legacy one last time — if and when she decides to confirm it.