Speculation about return
Tennis legend about to make a sensational comeback? Detail makes you sit up and take notice
12/02/2025 – 7:07 p.mReading time: 2 minutes
Serena Williams has won 23 Grand Slam titles – and actually ended her great career three years ago. But now big things could be on the horizon.
Is the most successful tennis player in history planning a sensational comeback? At least the American Serena Williams has informed the responsible International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) that she would like to be included in the international doping control pool again.
Adrian Bassett, a spokesman for the ITIA, confirmed corresponding media reports to the portal “The Athletic”: “I don’t know if this means that she is returning or just keeping the option open.” But he could say that Williams is back in the testing pool.
The portal speculates that the 44-year-old Williams’ return to the mixed doubles competition at the US Open in New York next year is the most likely option. Wild cards will be distributed in the two-day competition, and Williams’ start would give the not uncontroversial event a big boost.
A comeback by the 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner at an official tournament is theoretically only possible after six months in the test pool. Serena Williams said goodbye to the big tennis stage at the US Open 2022, and almost a year later she had her second child.
Her sister Venus Williams, who is one year older, has already planned for the coming tennis season. The seven-time Grand Slam tournament winner will compete at the tournament in Auckland, New Zealand from January 5th to 11th. The tournament serves as preparation for the Australian Open (January 12th to February 1st), the first major sporting highlight of the new season.
The American returned to the tennis tour last summer after a break of around 16 months from tournaments. After starts in Washington and Cincinnati, she caused a stir at the US Open, but was eliminated in round one despite an impressive performance.