She flatly denies it but something is cooking, perhaps the former queen of tennis is ready to get back into the game
It seems clear to everyone that something is cooking. Despite the official denials, even rather vehement ones, Serena Williams really seems to be ready to return to the field. In what way, we don’t know. But let’s take a step back. The former world number one and winner of 23 Slam titles, informed ITIA (International Tennis Integrity Agency) a few days ago of her desire to be added back to the International Registered Testing Pool, a fundamental requirement for playing at professional levels. In practice, it said it was available to carry out anti-doping controls. Her name in fact appears in an updated list of players, dated 6 October 2025. An Itia spokesperson confirmed the news, as reported by the New York Times: “She has told us that she wants to be reinstated in the testing pool”, said Adrian Bassett, “I don’t know if this means she is returning, or simply she is keeping the option open. All I can say is that she is back in the pool and therefore subject to doping controls”. A return which, according to the rules, could not happen for six months anyway.
Serena’s attempted denial
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A few hours after the public release of the news, Williams wrote on X “Oh my god, guys, I’m not coming back. The way these rumors have spread is crazy”, effectively denying the rumors. The denial, however, sounded strange to many and not entirely truthful. Already in recent months Serena had shown herself on the tennis courts, picking up the racket again for a workout on the hard courts in Washington with her sister Venus. Very slim and fit, like and perhaps better than when he played. Everything was posted on his Instagram profile and had already sparked the fantasies of fans and enthusiasts. Serena has also said, in recent days, “I’m ready to rediscover my charisma”, always showing off her sculpted physique. All things also noticed by that naughty Andy Roddick, who teased in his very popular podcast: “I am a retired athlete and I have never put myself back on the Wada list like you did. Something is cooking.” Maybe a double farewell with sister Venus, who knows. Serena Williams, 44, played her last match in 2022, at the US Open, when she was defeated in the third round by Ajla Tomljanović, but she has always avoided using the word “retirement”, preferring “departure”. In perfect Serena style, one of the greatest of all time.