Serena Williams, widely regarded as the greatest female tennis player of all time, is set to compete in the WTA Tour and Grand Slam events for the first time in almost four years.
The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) has reinstated Williams, 44, with an eligibility date of February 22, 2026. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had initially dismissed the idea of returning to the sport after entering a tennis anti-doping pool, but her stance has since softened, leaving the door open for a comeback during a January interview on “Today.”
Is Serena Williams returning to tennis?
Williams’ public stance has shifted from a firm “no” to a more ambiguous position. In December, after her name appeared in the anti-doping pool, she tweeted, “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back.” However, in her January interview, she opted not to deny the possibility of a return. On February 19, she posted a TikTok video showing her practicing serves for the first time since 2023.
When is she eligible to compete in tournaments?
Williams will officially be eligible to compete starting February 22, 2026. Major tournaments like the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells, commencing March 4, and the Miami Open shortly thereafter, are potential events for her comeback.
How will she enter tournaments?
Initially, Williams will likely rely on wild cards for tournament entry, as there is no protected ranking for players who have taken time off. Given her stature, securing wild card entries should not be an issue, and smaller tournaments may offer significant appearance fees to attract her.
What do retired tennis players have to do to return to tennis?
The primary requirement for returning players is reentering the anti-doping pool for six months. Williams is set to complete this requirement by February 22. She must also continue to report her whereabouts daily to the ITIA while working to climb the rankings, although wild cards will alleviate some of that pressure.
Why would she want to come back to tennis?
Williams has expressed a desire to return, especially as she is still physically active and has seen her sister, Venus, perform well since her own comeback. Remaining one Grand Slam title short of the all-time record further motivates her prospect of competing again, especially as her children become older and more independent.
