Since Serena Williams hung up her racquets in 2022, the American has stepped away from the sport while still remaining in the public eye. Simply put, Serena keeps busy. There are appearances to make, entreprenurial endeavors to pursue, and droves of fans to update on social media. For the American icon and one of the GOATS of tennis, things may be headed in the direction of the tennis court for one last fling with the sport that she mesmerized for more than two decades.
According to Ben Rothenberg of Bounces, Williams has applied for reinstatement and, if all goes as planned, will join the ranks of active players soon.
Here’s what Rothenberg, who has done the due diligence on this subject, said in a recent email blast on the subject.
Bounces can report that, within the last few months, Serena has applied for reinstatement to tennis and has been added back into into the testing pool.
What does that mean for Serena, who is 44, and her future on the WTA Tour? Hard to say. Rothenberg also reported that Williams also tried to get reinstated so that she could join her sister Venus on the doubles court at last year’s US Open, but the paperwork wasn’t filed in time.
Perhaps Serena is getting ahead of the game for a chance to partner Venus at the 2026 US Open? Perhaps she just wants to have the option to do that? Or maybe she wants to take a shot at being a singles star again.
One thing is for certain. If she comes back she’ll have to enter the ITF’s testing pool, which requires her making herself available for out-of-competition testing for at least six months prior to the event she wishes to play. That’s a commitment, and would indicate that she’s serious about getting back on the court.
Here’s what Rothenberg said about that:
Unless she changes her mind, Serena’s name will appear on that reinstated list soon. More than three years after her last match, Bounces can report that, within the last few months, Serena has applied for reinstatement to tennis and has been added back into into the testing pool.
Documents show that Williams has been on the ITIA’s testing pool since October of this year, so she could be eligible to play six months after that, or maybe even sooner, depending upon when she actually entered the testing pool.
Too early to say what will come of all this, but intriguing to know that the wheels are in motion for a potential Serena comeback to tennis in 2026. She will turn 45 next September, if you’re scoring at home.
Thanks as always to Bounces for providing the scoop and the context.
