Serena Williams Shuts Down Comeback Rumours After Rejoining Anti-Doping Testing Pool

Twenty-three-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams has dismissed growing speculation about a potential return to professional tennis, clarifying that her recent inclusion in the sport’s anti-doping testing pool does not signal a comeback.

The 44-year-old American, who has not played competitively since the 2022 US Open, was recently listed in the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) testing pool—an administrative requirement for athletes subject to random testing and daily location reporting.

The update triggered widespread rumours across social media that Williams might be preparing another run on the professional circuit. However, the tennis icon swiftly addressed the speculation.

Taking to X (formerly Twitter), Williams wrote:
“Omg y’all, I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”

Retired Status Remains Unchanged

Despite being entered into the testing pool, Williams is still listed as a retired player on the ITIA website. Under current regulations, a retired athlete must undergo at least six months of out-of-competition testing before being allowed to compete in a sanctioned event.

This means even if she did plan a comeback, she would need to fulfil anti-doping requirements long before rejoining the tour.

Family Time, Not a Return

Rumours intensified after Williams posted photos on Instagram last week showing her on a tennis court with her youngest daughter, Adira River, born in August 2023. The images reignited hope among fans longing to see the tennis legend back in action, but Williams made it clear that her focus remains on family life and personal projects.

A Legacy Beyond Compare

Serena Williams announced her gradual departure from tennis in a 2022 Vogue essay, saying she was “evolving away from tennis.” Her last Grand Slam title came in 2017, and although she reached four major finals between 2018 and 2019, she narrowly missed matching Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slam singles titles.

With an unmatched influence on and off the court, Williams remains one of the greatest athletes in history—even in retirement.

For now, she continues to remind fans that while her legacy lives on, a return to professional tennis is not on the horizon.