Serena Williams takes first steps towards returning to play for first time since 2022

Serena Williams takes first steps toward returning to play for first time since 2022Williams last played in the third round of the 2022 U.S. OpenStory bySerena Williams last played a competitive match in the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open in New York. (Photo by Joe Buglewicz/Getty Images for International Tennis Hall of Fame) (Joe Buglewicz via Getty Images)Sean LeahyContributing writerTue, December 2, 2025 at 5:19 PM UTC·2 min read

Serena Williams has reportedly taken the first step in a potential comeback to the tennis court.

According to Matthew Futterman of The Athletic, Williams has informed the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) she is pursuing reentry into tennis' International Registered Testing Pool.

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Williams' name was among others on an ITIA player pool list from Oct. 6.

“She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool,” an ITIA spokesperson told The Athletic. “I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”

Players listed have to be in the pool for six months before being eligible to return to play.

The 44-year-old Williams last played a competitive match during the third round of the 2022 U.S. Open. The day after her defeat, she applied for official retirement with the ITIA, which meant she was exempt from random drug testing.

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The 23-time Grand Slam tournament winner told Porter magazine in a recent interview that she's still adjusting to no longer being on the court.

“Not as much as this time last year,” Williams said about missing the sport. “No matter how prepared you are to retire, and particularly from doing something every day at such a high level, it’s hard. I really prepped myself the best way I could, but it’s something that’s still a little difficult.”

Williams has kept busy in her post-tennis life as a mom, with her foundation and as part of the Angel City FC ownership group along with her husband Alexis Ohanian, among numerous other ventures.

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According to Ben Rothenberg, Williams had sought a comeback in August, with a likely eye to play doubles at the 2025 U.S. Open with her sister, Venus.

While Serena has not played in over three years, Venus Williams overcame numerous injuries and returned at August's U.S. Open after receiving a wild-card invite. She reached the third round in singles and made it to the quarterfinals in doubles with Leylah Fernandez.

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