Williams was never a fan of the word retirement, preferring to say she was moving on from the sport in 2022.
Bill Clinton, Billie Jean King, Tiger Woods and Mike Tyson were among the crowd in New York three years ago when Williams won her first two singles matches at her last US Open.
Her career was ultimately ended in the third round by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, but only after Williams had saved five match points in an electric night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Each retired player must make himself or herself available for out-of-competition testing for six months before he or she is eligible to compete professionally again.
It is not known exactly when Williams asked to have her name added to the list again, but even if she had to wait six months from October 6, it would allow for a return from April.
Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have won more Grand Slam titles than Williams.
Her haul of seven Australian Open titles, three French Opens, seven Wimbledons and six US Opens is the biggest singles title by any woman in the Open era.
Serena’s older sister Venus made a comeback earlier this year after being off tour for 16 months.
Seven-time singles champion Venus competed in singles and doubles at the US Open at the age of 45, reaching the last eight of the women’s doubles with Leylah Fernandez.
Serena and Venus won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals together, and the prospect of a Williams sisters reunion in 2026 remains attractive.
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