Is Serena Williams Preparing Her 44-Year-Old Comeback? She denies it, but here's the hint for a possible shock decision
Article by Luminița Paul – Published on Tuesday, 02 December 2025 22:50 / Updated on Tuesday, 02 December 2025 22:54
Serena Williams (44) has applied to re-enter ITIA's (International Tennis Integrity Agency) official international testing database, which may signal a return to the sport for the former world number one and multiple Grand Slam champion. However, she refuted this version through a post on the X platform.
The American, a 23-time Grand Slam champion and considered by many to be the greatest player in tennis history, retired in 2022 after being eliminated in the third round of the US Open. However, he avoided uttering the word “withdrawal”, preferring the more plastic formula of “to evolve” outside of sports.
She recently informed the ITIA that she wishes to re-enter the official international doping testing database.
Serena Williams' name appears on an updated list of players in that base dating back to October 6 this year.
ITIA confirms re-entry into database for testing
“She told us she wanted to be reinstated to the test baseAdrian Bassett, an ITIA spokesman, said in a text message to The Athletic.
“I don't know if that means he's coming back or just giving himself an option. All I can say is that she's back in the testing database, so she'll have to keep updating her locations where she can be foundBassett added.
Jill Smoller, Williams' longtime agent, did not respond to ESPN's request for comment, nor did a representative for the American contacted by The Athletic.
However, Serena had a reaction on the X platform on Tuesday afternoon: “God forbid, people, I'm NOT coming back. This fire spreading is crazy“, said the former WTA leader.
Serena returned to the court with her younger daughter
The testing base does not include all active players, even though all active players are subject to out-of-competition testing.
Serena Williams and her younger daughter Adira Photo: Instagram
Instead, it is mainly made up of the top 100 men's and women's singles players, elite doubles and wheelchair players, as well as players looking to return to competition after a long break.
Core players must provide information on where they are at a specific time every day of the year, and anyone re-entering competition must be part of this pool for six months before playing a tournament.
Officials from the WTA and USTA (United States Tennis Association), who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak officially for their organization, said they were unaware Williams had re-entered the testing facility.
A re-registration in October would make her eligible to play starting in April 2026, but the most likely place for Williams to return would appear to be in mixed doubles at the US Open, according to The Athletic. This has become a compressed two-day tournament, with the best players at the start and open to wild cards for any interesting combination from across the tennis galaxy.
Serena was one of the best doubles players of the modern era, she won 14 Grand Slam titles and three Olympic gold medals with her sister Venus, 45, still competing.
So far, Serena has not made any official statement regarding a possible comeback, but has posted pictures on social media of herself and younger daughter Adira, 2 years and 3 months, on the tennis court.
