Serena Williams discounted the idea that she might be preparing to return to tennis, writing on the social media that she is “NOT coming back” after a spokesman for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the 23-time Grand Slam champion had registered with the sport's drug-testing body. This is the first step required from a player seeking to come out of retirement.
Forty-four-year-old Serena, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since bidding farewell at the 2022 US Open. At that time, Serena said she didn't want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
It was not clear when or where — or even if — Williams actually will play again, and she later posted: “Omg yall I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment.
In a statement emailed to The Associated Press, US Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said, “We are aware that Serena has filed the necessary paperwork with the International Tennis Integrity Agency to re-enter the International Registered Testing Pool. 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.”
Williams was one of the biggest stars of any sport, a dominant talent on the court and still someone drawing attention away from it. If she were to end up returning to the tour, it would be a significant story line, of course. “She is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett said on Tuesday.
Williams' older sister, Venus, returned to competition this July at age 45 after nearly 18 months away from the tour. She never had announced her retirement. At the US Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981. When Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, came back at the DC Open, she said she wished Serena would join her back on the tour. They have claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
Also read: Venus Williams falls to Bouzas Maneiro in Cincinnati opener
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