Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, has completed the required anti-doping protocols and is now eligible to compete on the WTA Tour starting February 22, 2026. The 44-year-old retired player has not confirmed a comeback but has practiced recently and softened her previous denials. Speculation grows about potential appearances at upcoming tournaments like Indian Wells and Miami.
Serena Williams became eligible to return to professional tennis on February 22, 2026, after spending six months in the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) drug testing pool. This reinstatement follows her retirement after the 2022 US Open, where she lost in the third round to Ajla Tomljanović. Williams, widely regarded as the greatest women's tennis player, holds 23 Grand Slam singles titles, 14 doubles titles, two mixed doubles titles, and four Olympic gold medals.
Initially, Williams denied plans for a comeback. In December 2024, she posted on X: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” However, in a January 2026 interview on the Today show, she was less definitive: “Neither yes nor no. I don't know, we'll see what happens.” When asked about reentering the anti-doping program, she replied: “Have I come back? I don't know if I've been out. Look, there's nothing more to say.”
Recent actions suggest interest in returning. Williams practiced with American player Alycia Parks, ranked 77th in the WTA, who said: “She's in great shape. So I think she would kill it on Tour.” Parks added that Williams has been a good mentor during their sessions. Williams also posted a TikTok video on February 19, 2026, showing her serving for the first time since 2023.
Former coach Rick Macci, who worked with the Williams sisters from 1991 to 1995, predicted a return: “Serena is going to come back, it’s certain.” He believes her competitive drive persists and her biomechanics, especially her serve, remain elite. Macci suggested she might play the Sunshine Double: Indian Wells starting March 4, 2026, or the Miami Open.
Her sister Venus Williams, 45, recently accepted a wildcard for Indian Wells after a 16-month hiatus, winning one match. Some speculate Serena could start with doubles alongside Venus, with whom she has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles. Williams, unranked since September 2022, would rely on wildcards, which organizers are likely to grant given her legacy.
No official announcement has come from Williams, who has two children and focuses on ventures like Serena Ventures. Her husband, Alexis Ohanian, supports her endeavors, including investments in health companies. While eligible for Grand Slams like the French Open on May 24, 2026, her participation remains uncertain.
