Serena Williams has reportedly taken the first steps towards returning to the tennis court.
Williams has informed the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that she is seeking to rejoin the Tennis International Registration Testing Pool, Matthew Futterman of The Athletic reports.
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Williams’ name has been on the ITIA roster since October 6.
“She has informed us that she wishes to re-enter the testing pool,” an ITIA spokesperson told The Athletic. “I don’t know if that means she will come back or just give herself a choice. All I can say is that she is back in the pool and is therefore affected by her whereabouts.”
Listed players must remain in the pool for six months before they are eligible to return to the game.
The 44-year-old Williams last participated in an official match in the third round of the 2022 US Open. The day after her defeat, she applied to the ITIA for official retirement, which meant she was exempt from random drug testing.
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The 23-time Grand Slam champion told Porter Magazine in a recent interview that she is still adjusting to no longer being on the court.
“It’s not as severe as it was this time last year,” Williams said of missing the sport. “No matter how prepared you are for retirement, especially doing something at such a high level every day, it’s difficult. I really tried my best to prepare myself, but it’s still a little difficult.”
After her tennis career ended, Williams stayed busy as a mother with her foundation and joining the Angel City FC ownership group with her husband, Alexis Ohanian, among numerous other ventures.
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According to Ben Rothenberg, Williams had sought a comeback in August and could play doubles with sister Venus at the 2025 U.S. Open.
While Serena hasn’t competed in more than three years, Venus Williams has overcome multiple injuries to return to the U.S. Open in August after receiving a wild-card invitation. She reached the third round in singles and the quarterfinals in doubles with Leylah Fernandez.
