Serena Williams, 44, sparks comeback talks in doping test pool

Serena Williams has rejoined the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) registered testing pool, potentially paving the way for her return to the sport.

Williams, a 23-time major champion and widely considered the greatest female player in the history of the sport, will retire from tennis in 2022 after the US Open. She has since reportedly asked to return, and her name is included in the latest list of players to be tested, dated October 6. The Athletic first reported Williams’ inclusion on the list on Tuesday.

Williams’ longtime agent, Jill Smoller, has not yet responded to ESPN’s request for comment.

Williams, 44, has not spoken publicly about a possible return, but posted a photo of himself on court with his youngest daughter on social media.

In accordance with protocol, Ms. Williams officially announced her retirement from ITIA in 2022. This means she will no longer undergo regular drug tests. Her name remains listed on the site as a retiree, but after six months as an active pool athlete, she is eligible to return to competition and will be listed as a returning athlete. These players (which includes most of the top 100 players) must provide their location at all times of the day and participate in random tests.

Williams’ older sister Venus, 45, returned to the WTA Tour in July after 16 months. After her memorable first-round loss at the US Open, Serena took to social media to express her pride and admiration for her sister, adding at the end of her post, “P.S. I want to be like you too.” Venus was asked multiple times over the summer about Serena’s possible return and admitted she never wanted her to retire.

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“I mean, I always tell my team, ‘It makes things better just to have her here.’ Of course I miss her, like we always did everything together,” Venus said at the Citi Open in July. “But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let everyone know.”

Venus recently accepted a wild card to play at the Oakland Open in January. Serena won her final WTA title in 2020, and her only since returning from maternity leave.