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Serena Williams Eligible to Return to Tennis, But Comeback Uncertain. Serena Williams has been cleared by the International Tennis Integrity Agency to return to professional competition starting February 22. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion registered with the ITIA’s drug-testing pool six months ago, a required step for any player considering a comeback. Williams, 44, was added to the ITIA’s reinstatement list, but it remains unclear whether she actually plans to compete again. After news first emerged of her return to the testing pool last year, Williams dismissed speculation on social media, insisting she was “NOT coming back.” The tennis icon has not played since her farewell appearance at the 2022 US Open, when she said she was “evolving” away from the sport rather than retiring. Under anti-doping rules, returning athletes must make themselves available for testing for six months before competing again. Her sister, Venus Williams, returned to competition last year at age 45 and said she missed playing alongside Serena. The Williams sisters, who won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together, remain one of the most celebrated duos in tennis history.
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