Oscars 2015: Common and Serena Williams back together? Former couple cosy up at after-party

They previously dated on and off for almost three years and now it looks like Serena Williams and Common may be giving love another try.

The 33-year-old tennis champion and rapper-turned actor have sparked speculation that they have reunited after they were spotted cosying up at an Oscars after-party.

When Williams posted a snap of herself and her former boyfriend celebrating his best song Oscar for Glory, eagle-eyed fans could not help but notice she was leaning affectionately into his side.

But after she was quizzed about whether they were back together, the image vanished and was quickly replaced with one of her alone without any explanation.

The photo mystery comes after Common, 42, whose real name is Lonnie Rashid Lynn, admitted he almost married the Grand Slam star.

"If I'm in it as much as I was with Serena, as much as I loved her...it takes time to heal and find that peace to be able to move on," he told Uptown magazine in August 2014.

Common, who also dated singer Erykah Badu and actress Taraji P Henson, recently claimed he was glad that they were able to remain friends.

"It was kinda eventually a mutual thing [their breakup], but she initiated it," he told talkshow host Meredith Vieira.

"It's OK though! We've got a great understanding, and I care about her as a person. ... Most of the women that I've dealt with, I care about, so we can keep that friendship. ... You still have that respect and have love for them and still want to see them do well."

Williams has been romantically linked to actor Jackie Long, film-maker Brett Ratner and her coach, Patrick Mouratoglou.