In a move that has ignited speculation about a potential return to professional tennis, Serena Williams has officially re-entered the sport's anti-doping testing programme. The 23-time Grand Slam champion's name appeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) registered testing pool list for the first time since 2022, a procedural necessity for any player eyeing a comeback.
The Path to a Potential Return
Serena Williams, now 44, has not competed in an official match since her third-round exit at the US Open over three years ago. While she famously described her departure as "evolving away" from tennis rather than announcing a formal retirement, she filed paperwork with the ITIA in September 2022 to be exempt from strict whereabouts rules for out-of-competition testing. To regain eligibility, a player must be in the testing pool for a continuous six-month period before entering any tournament.
An ITIA spokesperson confirmed to the Guardian that Williams had requested reinstatement to the pool, with her name listed on documents dated 6 October. The agency was quick to note, however, that inclusion on the list is not definitive proof of a comeback plan. A representative for Williams did not immediately comment on her intentions.
Previous Comeback Attempts and Sisterly Inspiration
Sources familiar with the process revealed that this was not Williams's first attempt to restart the testing clock. An effort was made in August, just before the US Open, likely with the hope of playing doubles with her sister, Venus Williams. Those plans fell through when it became clear the mandatory six-month window could not be bypassed—a rule that also thwarted Andy Roddick's last-minute doubles plans in 2014.
Rumours of a Serena cameo swirled during this year's US Open, particularly around the star-studded mixed doubles event, but her retired status made her ineligible. Meanwhile, Venus Williams, 45, who never formally retired, made a successful return this summer after a 16-month break, winning a singles match in Washington and reaching the US Open doubles quarter-finals.
What Happens Next for the Tennis Icon?
While Serena Williams's reappearance in the ITIA pool does not guarantee a return to the tour, it does restore her potential timeline. If she remains in the pool without interruption, she could be cleared to enter tournaments as early as mid-2026. The nature of any potential return remains an open question—whether she aims for a singles comeback, a nostalgic doubles partnership with Venus, or is simply keeping her options open.
The ITIA's registered testing pool is not for every active player; it is typically reserved for top-ranked singles competitors, high-level doubles and wheelchair athletes, and professionals returning from extended absences. Williams's quiet procedural move ensures she now fits that final category, setting the stage for what could be one of sport's most remarkable comebacks.
