Serena Williams threw cold water on the idea that she might be preparing to return to tennis, writing on social media on Tuesday that she is “NOT coming back,” after a spokesperson for the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said the 23-time Grand Slam champion had registered with the sport’s drug testing body.
That’s the first step any player looking to retire needs.
The 44-year-old Williams, one of the game’s greats, has not competed since retiring from the 2022 US Open. Williams said at the time that she did not want to use the word “retirement” and instead stated that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
It wasn’t clear when or where — or even if — Williams will actually play again, and she later posted, “Omg everyone, I am NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment.
In an emailed statement to The Associated Press, US Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “We are aware that Serena has submitted the necessary paperwork to the International Tennis Integrity Agency to re-enter the International Registered Testing Pool. If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, along 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 field yet someone who distracted from it. If she were to eventually return to the tour, that would obviously be a major storyline.
Her decision to put her name back in the ITIA testing pool, which oversees anti-doping and anti-corruption efforts, was first reported by Bounces.
“She is on the list and back in the testing pool,” ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett wrote to the AP on Tuesday.
Athletes returning to testing must provide information about their whereabouts: details of their location when not at an official event and times they are available to provide samples. Someone who retires while on the list and returns later must be available for testing for six months before returning to competition.
Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition in July at the age of 45, after nearly a year and a half away from the tour; she had never 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 singles champion, returned to the DC Open, she spoke of wanting Serena to join her on tour again. They claimed 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a couple.
“I keep telling my team, the only thing that would make this better is if she were here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her,” Venus said at the time when asked about a video on social media of Serena swinging a racket. “But when she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let you all know.”
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