Serena Williams dismissed the idea that she could be preparing to return to tennis, with a message on social media yesterday, after a spokesperson for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the owner of 23 Grand Slam titles had registered with the sport’s doping control body. It is the first step required of a player looking to come out of retirement.
Serena, 44, has not competed since bowing out at the 2022 US Open.
At the time, Williams said she did not want to use the word “retire” and instead stated that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
It was unclear when or where — or even if — Williams would actually play again, and she later posted: “OMG people I’m NOT coming back. This fire is crazy.”
His agent did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
In an emailed statement, United States Tennis Association spokesperson Brendan McIntyre said, “We are aware that Serena has filed the necessary paperwork with the International Tennis Integrity Agency to rejoin the International Registered Testing Group. Should Serena decide to return and compete at the professional level, along with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Serena was one of the biggest stars in any sport, a dominant talent on the court and remains someone who attracts attention off it. If he ends up returning to the circuit, the impact would be extraordinary.
His decision to put his name back on the ITIA testing pool, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts, was first reported by online publication Bounces.
“He is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett wrote to The Associated Press yesterday.
Athletes participating in trials must provide information about their whereabouts: details about their location when they are not in an official tournament and times when they are available to provide samples. Someone who withdraws while on the list and then returns needs to be available for testing for six months before being allowed to return to competition.
Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition in July at age 45 after nearly a year and a half away from the circuit. He had never announced his retirement.
At the US Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the US Grand Slam since 1981.