Spanish
New York.– The legendary American tennis player Serena Williams advanced in the process that would allow her to return to the professional circuit, after being included this Monday by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) as eligible to compete again from February 22.
You may be interested in:Serena Williams, “Unconditional fan” of Carlos Alcaraz, receives the Princess of Asturias Sports Award 2025
The world's number one, winner of 23 Grand Slam singles titles, had enrolled six months ago in the anti-doping program required for any athlete wishing to return to official activity. With her inclusion on the reinstatement list, she fulfills one of the essential regulatory steps for a possible return. However, so far there is no confirmation about when, where —or even if— the 44-year-old American will compete in a professional tournament again.A return that is not yet certain
When in 2025 it became known that Williams had initiated the process to re-enter the anti-doping control system, the player herself used her social media to clarify that she was not officially announcing her return to the courts. Since her farewell at the US Open 2022, the champion has kept a low profile in the competitive field. On that occasion, she avoided talking about definitive retirement and indicated that she was "evolving" towards a new stage outside of tennis. According to regulations, returning players must provide detailed information about their whereabouts and be available for checks for a minimum period of six months before being able to compete again.The antecedent of Venus
Serena's possible return occurs in a context in which her older sister, Venus Williams, returned to the circuit last year at the age of 45, after a prolonged absence. Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, expressed at the time that she would love to share the court again with Serena, with whom she won 14 major doubles titles.
For now, anticipation grows in the tennis world at the possibility of one of the most influential figures in the history of the sport deciding to write a new chapter in their career. Meanwhile, the landscape remains open and without official confirmations about their competitive schedule.
