Serena Williams took another step toward a potential return to professional tennis, being listed Monday as eligible to return to competition on February 22 by the sport’s drug-testing organization.
This comes six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion first registered with the international tennis integrity agency.
Williams, 44, was listed on the ITIA website’s recovery page on Monday, a development first reported by Bounces.
It’s unclear when or, rather, if — Williams will actually play again.
Last year, when Williams signed with ITIA to return to the drug testing pool, she wrote on social media: “OMG I’m not coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Her agent did not immediately respond to a request for comment Monday. A spokesperson for the WTA Tour also declined to comment.
Last year, when news broke that Williams had taken the first steps needed to return, USTA spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “If Serena decides to return and compete professionally with her fans, we will warmly welcome back one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Williams, one of the game’s greatest players, has not competed since bidding farewell to the 2022 U.S. Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retirement,” instead declaring that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
Athletes returning for testing will need to provide information about their whereabouts – details of their location when not participating in official competition and when they can provide a sample. Those who retire from the roster and subsequently return will need to undergo six months of testing before returning to play.
Williams’ sister, Venus, returned to competition last July at the age of 45 after nearly 1 1/2 years away from the tour. She never announced her retirement. At the U.S. Open, Venus became the oldest player to play singles in a U.S. Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
As seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus returns to the Washington Open, she talks about hoping Serena will return to the tour with her. They won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a partnership.
“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make things better is having her here. Like, we always do everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus said at the time when asked about a social media video showing Serena swinging a racket. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let you all know.”
