serena williams passed another step on the road to a potential return to professional tennis, being listed by the sport’s drug testing organization on Monday as eligible to return to competition on February 22.
This comes six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency. Williams, 44, was listed on the reinstatement page of the ITIA website on Monday.
It was not immediately known exactly when, where or even if Williams would play again.
When it was revealed last year that Williams had signed with ITIA to return to the drug testing pool, she wrote on social media: “Oh my God, I’m not coming back. This is wildfire crazy.”
Her agent did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. The WTA Tour spokesperson also did not do so.
Williams, one of the game’s greats, has not competed since the 2022 US Open. At the time, Williams said she did not want to use the word “retired” and instead announced that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
Athletes returning for testing are required to provide information about their whereabouts – details of their location when they are not at an official event and when they are available to give samples. Someone who retires while on the list and later returns must be available for testing for six months before being allowed to return to competition.
Last year, when it was revealed that Williams had taken the initial steps necessary for a comeback, US Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “If Serena, along with her fans, decides to return and compete at the professional level, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Williams’ older sister, VesperThe 45-year-old returned to competition in July after nearly a year and a half away from the tour; He never announced his retirement. At the US Open, Venus Williams became the oldest player to play singles at an American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
When Venus, the seven-time major singles champion, returned to the D.C. Open, she expressed her desire to return to Serena’s tour. They won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
When Venus Williams was asked about a video on social media that showed Serena swinging a racket, she said, “I keep telling my team: The only thing that would have made it better was if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her.” “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll tell you all.”
