Serena Williams: Tennis icon remains a topic of debate as she re-enters the drug-testing pool without a clear return to competition
Serena Williams has taken the formal steps toward a possible comeback, yet she simultaneously insists she won’t be returning to professional tennis.
The American legend, who captured 23 Grand Slam singles titles before retiring after the 2022 US Open, has reappeared on the sport’s drug-testing registry. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed to BBC Sport that Williams, now 44, is once again listed among players registered for out-of-competition testing. Her name appears in the ITIA’s latest document dated 6 October.
Just hours after the news of her re-entry into the drug-testing pool emerged, Williams posted on social media: “I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” The move to rejoin the testing pool raises questions, since out-of-competition testing is mandatory for players who wish to compete again, and it’s unclear when she requested to be added.
In 2022, Williams preferred not to use the term retirement, opting instead to describe her exit as an “evolving away” from the sport. The star-studded New York crowd that included Bill Clinton, Billie Jean King, Tiger Woods, and Mike Tyson witnessed her win her first two singles matches at her final US Open.
Her competitive career concluded when Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia eliminated her in the third round, after Williams had managed to save five match points during a dramatic night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
To be eligible to compete professionally again, a retiree must be available for out-of-competition testing for six months. It remains unclear when Williams requested re-entry to the testing pool; even a six-month wait from 6 October would allow a potential return as early as April.
Among all players, only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams. Her résumé includes seven Australian Open titles, three French Opens, seven Wimbledon crowns, and six US Opens—the most major singles titles won by any woman in the Open Era.
Serena’s sister Venus Williams returned to competition earlier this year after a 16-month hiatus, competing in both singles and doubles at the US Open and reaching the quarterfinals of the women’s doubles with Leylah Fernandez at age 45.
The Williams sisters jointly own 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and have earned three Olympic gold medals together, keeping open the possibility of a Williams sisters reunion in 2026 that remains highly anticipated.
