Serena Williams has been officially cleared to return to competitive tennis starting February 22, according to the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). While the 23-time Grand Slam champion is eligible, it remains uncertain if she will make a full-fledged comeback to the women’s tour.
The 44-year-old sparked speculation late last year when she rejoined the tennis anti-doping testing pool, though she insisted at the time that it didn’t necessarily signal a return to the court. Interest surged again last month during her appearance on NBC’s “Today” show, where she skillfully sidestepped questions about playing competitively again.
Williams has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open, where she made her last appearance in singles. Her legendary career, spanning nearly two decades, left an indelible mark on the sport, and any return would be closely watched by fans and fellow players alike.
The Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) has not commented outside regular business hours regarding her potential comeback.
