Serena Williams has been officially reinstated to compete in professional tennis as of February 22, 2026, after completing required testing protocols. Her former coach, Rick Macci, is certain she will return soon, potentially at the Indian Wells Open or Miami Open in March. The 23-time Grand Slam champion retired in 2022 but has been training actively.
Serena Williams, the 44-year-old tennis legend, retired after the 2022 US Open and has since focused on her business ventures, philanthropy, and family life. On February 22, 2026, she was removed from the retired players list by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) following her completion of a six-month stint in the International Registered Testing Pool (IRTP). This reinstatement allows her to enter sanctioned events, provided she has undergone out-of-competition testing.
Williams has not commented publicly on her plans, but her youth coach Rick Macci expressed strong confidence in her return. In an interview with L’Equipe, Macci stated, “She’s training with lots of sparring partners – guys. She’s also played with Alycia Parks, a good friend of hers in South Florida. So I have no doubt about it (her comeback). ... It’s 100% certain she’ll dive back into competition.” He added that Williams expects to compete at the highest level, saying, “If she didn’t think she could compete with the best and win matches, she wouldn’t do it.”
Speculation points to the Sunshine Double in March as her likely re-entry. The Indian Wells Open begins March 4, 2026, though tournament officials have received no indication from her camp about participation. Williams and her sister Venus boycotted the event for over a decade after facing racist abuse there in 2001, but Venus has accepted wildcards for singles and doubles. Serena returned to Indian Wells in 2015. Factors like windy conditions could pose challenges for a first tournament back.
The Miami Open, starting March 17, appears more probable. As an eight-time champion there, Williams could easily secure a wildcard under tournament director James Blake. A comeback would reset her eligibility for the International Tennis Hall of Fame to 2027. Other possibilities include clay-court events like Charleston or later grass tournaments, but Macci believes she is preparing for serious singles competition, not just doubles appearances with Venus.
