Serena Williams Enables Her Return to Professional Tennis
The iconic American tennis player Serena Williams has taken a significant step towards her possible return to the professional circuit. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has included her in the list of those eligible to compete again, starting February 22.
This news marks a milestone in the return process of the legendary player, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
Williams enrolled six months ago in the anti-doping program required for athletes wishing to return to official activity. Meeting this regulatory requirement is a crucial step towards his eventual return to the courts.
However, there is still no confirmation on the date, place, or even if Williams, 44, will compete in a professional tournament.
The champion has kept a low profile in the competitive field.
In 2025, when it was known that Williams had initiated the process to re-enter the anti-doping control system, the tennis player clarified on her social media that she was not officially announcing her return.
Since her farewell at the 2022 US Open, Williams has kept a low profile in the competitive arena. On that occasion, she avoided talking about definitive retirement, indicating that she was “evolving” towards a new stage outside of tennis.
The regulations require returning players to provide detailed whereabouts information and be available for testing for a minimum period of six months before competing.
The possible return of Serena occurs in a context in which her older sister, Venus Williams, returned to the circuit last year at the age of 45, after a prolonged absence.
Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, expressed at the time that she would love to share the court again with Serena.
For now, anticipation grows in the world of tennis at the possibility that one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport decides to write a new chapter in their career. Meanwhile, the landscape remains open and without official confirmations about their competitive calendar.
