Serena Williams has taken the procedural step required for any player planning to return to competition after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion re-entered the International Tennis Agency (ITIA) registered testing pool for the first time since 2022.
Williams, 44, has not played in an official match since then. her advance to the third round of the US Open more than three years ago. Although she described her departure at the time as a “step away” from the sport rather than a hard retirement, in September of that year she filed paperwork with the ITIA that exempted her from the sport's strict whereabouts requirements. However, in order to return to competition, players must provide the opportunity to undergo out-of-competition testing for six months before being allowed to take part in the event.
Williams' name appeared on the agency's Oct. 6 testing pool update. An ITIA spokesperson confirmed that Williams had asked to be reinstated into the pool, but stressed that a spot on the list does not in itself constitute evidence of return.
A rep for Williams did not immediately respond to questions from the Guardian about her intentions.
The ITIA registered pool does not include all active players; it is mainly aimed at top-level singles athletes, high-level doubles and wheelchair athletes, as well as professionals returning after a long absence.
Rumors of a possible cameo appearance at the US Open quietly circulated during this year's tournament, particularly around the mixed doubles tournament, which turned into a two-day show filled with star-studded wildcards. But because Williams was considered retired at the time, she was not eligible to participate.
People familiar with the process told the Guardian that Williams is considering returning earlier this fall. One attempt to return to the testing group was made in August, shortly before the US Open, most likely in hopes of playing doubles alongside his sister Venus. Those plans dissipated when it became clear that the six-month testing window could not be waived, a restriction that prevented Andy Roddick from making a similar last-minute doubles cameo in 2014.
Venus Williams, 45, never officially retired and therefore avoided the same procedural hurdles. She returned this summer after a 16-month break, earning singles victory in Washingtonpushing Karolina Muchova, number 11, will enter the decisive game in New York and reaching the quarterfinals of the US Open in doubles with Leila Fernandez. She is expected resume your schedule in Auckland beginning of next season.
Serena's reappearance on the ITIA paperwork does not guarantee her return, but it does restore the timing of her eligibility. If she remains in the pool without interruption, she will be able to participate in tournaments as early as mid-2026. Whether she intends to compete in singles again, reunite with Venus in doubles, or simply retain the option to do so remains unclear.
