Serena Williams has reentered the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company’s (ITIA) registered testing pool, probably clearing the best way for a return to the game.
The 44-year-old Williams, a 23-time main champion and extensively thought-about the best ladies’s participant within the sport’s historical past, retired from tennis in 2022 following the US Open. She has since reportedly requested to be reinstated and her title is included in the latest checklist of gamers within the testing pool, dated October 6. The Athletic first reported Williams’ inclusion on the checklist on Tuesday.
Jill Smoller, Williams’ longtime agent, has not but responded to ESPN’s request for remark.
Williams has not made any public assertion a few potential comeback, however she did submit photos, on social media, of herself on the courtroom together with her youngest daughter.
Per protocol, Williams formally declared herself retired with the ITIA in 2022, which meant she would now not be subjected to routine drug testing. Her title stays listed on the positioning as retired, however she could be eligible to return to competitors and be listed as a reinstated participant following six months of being an energetic participant within the pool. These gamers – which incorporates most within the high 100 — should present their whereabouts at any given time, every single day, and take part in random testing.
Williams’ older sister Venus, 45, made her return to the WTA Tour in July following a 16-month absence. After a memorable first-round exit on the US Open, Serena expressed her pleasure and admiration for her sister on social media and added “P.S. I hope to be such as you,” on the finish of her submit. Venus was requested repeatedly a few potential Serena return all through the summer time, and he or she admitted she by no means needed her to retire.
“I imply, I preserve saying to my staff, ‘The one factor that may make this higher is that if she was right here,’ like we at all times did every part collectively, so after all I miss her,” Venus mentioned on the Citi Open in July. “But when she comes again, I am certain she’ll let y’all know.”
Venus not too long ago accepted a wild card to play on the Auckland Open in January. Serena gained the final WTA title of her profession, and the one one after getting back from maternity depart, on the event in 2020.