Serena Williams has completed the six-month drug-testing requirement and is now eligible to return to professional tennis on February 22. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion, who last played at the 2022 US Open, has not confirmed any plans to compete again despite ongoing speculation. Her reinstatement follows registration with the International Tennis Integrity Agency last year.
Serena Williams, the 44-year-old American tennis legend with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, took another step toward a potential comeback by being listed on the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) reinstatement page on Monday. This makes her eligible to enter tournaments starting February 22, exactly six months after she initially registered for the drug-testing pool.
Williams has not competed since her farewell at the 2022 US Open, where she described her departure as "evolving" away from the sport rather than retiring. When news of her ITIA registration emerged last year, she quickly dismissed comeback rumors on social media, posting: “Omg ya'll I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” However, in a January appearance on the Today Show, she left the door slightly ajar, saying, "I don't know, I'm just going to see what happens," and clarifying, "It's not a maybe."
The reinstatement process requires retired players to provide daily whereabouts for out-of-competition testing for six months. Williams' agent and a WTA Tour spokesperson did not immediately comment on her intentions. USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre expressed enthusiasm last year, stating: “If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, together with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Her older sister, Venus Williams, returned to the tour last July at age 45 after a 1.5-year hiatus and has voiced hopes for a joint comeback. The sisters, who won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, share a storied history. Venus said during her return at the DC Open: “I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her.” She added, “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know."
While Williams recently appeared in a Super Bowl commercial for a weight-loss drug and has discussed her post-tennis life, including family and business ventures, the tennis world remains intrigued by the possibility of her return. Former world No. 1 Jim Courier expressed certainty during the Australian Open that she plans to play again in some capacity. Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams, who holds the record for women in the Open era with seven Australian Opens, three French Opens, seven Wimbledons, and six US Opens.
