Tennis legend Serena Williams has taken her first official step toward a possible return to the sport.
According to The Athletic, Williams has told the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that she wants to rejoin the International Registered Testing Pool the system that allows drug testing for players who may plan to compete again.
Her name appeared on the ITIA’s player list dated October 6.
An ITIA spokesperson confirmed the update, saying, “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool.”
“I don’t know if this means she is coming back or just giving herself the option.”
“All I can say is she’s back in the pool and now has to follow the whereabouts rules.”
Players must remain in the testing pool for at least six months before they are allowed to return to competition.
Serena Williams, now 44, last played in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open.
She officially retired the day after her loss, which removed her from the drug-testing program.
In an interview with Porter magazine, she admitted that getting used to life after tennis has been challenging.
“No matter how prepared you are to retire… it’s hard,” she said.
“I really prepared myself, but it’s still a little difficult.”
Since retiring, Williams has focused on motherhood, her foundation, business ventures, and her role as part-owner of Angel City FC with her husband, Alexis Ohanian.
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