Serena Williams says no comeback despite filing paperwork

Serena Williams has filed the necessary paperwork for a potential return to tennis but clarified that she is “not coming back” to the sport. The American legend, who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles, officially retired after the 2022 US Open.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed that Williams, 44, has been re-added to the list of players registered for the drug testing pool, appearing in the most recent document published on 6 October. Her inclusion in the testing pool, which comprises the top singles, doubles, and wheelchair players as well as returning athletes, requires her to provide daily whereabouts for out-of-competition testing.

Just hours after news of her re-entry, Williams took to social media, stating: “I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” The reason behind her paperwork submission, despite having no intention to play, remains unclear. Williams has previously preferred the term “evolving away” rather than “retirement” when describing her departure from the sport in 2022.

Williams’ final US Open in 2022 drew a star-studded crowd, including Bill Clinton, Billie Jean King, Tiger Woods, and Mike Tyson. She advanced to the third round before being defeated by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic, saving five match points in an unforgettable night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.

Rules require that retired players be available for out-of-competition testing for six months before they are eligible to compete professionally again. Even if Williams had to wait six months from 6 October, a return would technically have been possible from April 2026.

Williams also discussed weight-loss challenges in August on the Today Show, sharing that despite “training five hours a day” and engaging in running, walking, biking, and stair climbing, she struggled to lose weight and considered “trying something different.”

Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have won more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams, who claimed seven Australian Opens, three French Opens, seven Wimbledons, and six US Opens—holding the record for the most major singles titles by a woman in the Open era.

Her sister, Venus Williams, made a comeback earlier this year after 16 months off, competing in singles and doubles at the US Open at age 45 and reaching the women’s doubles last eight alongside Leylah Fernandez. Together, Serena and Venus have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals, keeping alive the tantalising possibility of a Williams sisters reunion in 2026. – BBC

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