Serena Williams has handed a brand new stage on her path to returning to skilled tennis, being listed Monday by the game’s drug testing group as eligible to return to competitors on February twenty second.
It was six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was first registered with the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company. Mr. Williams, 44, was listed on the reinstatement web page of the ITIA web site on Monday.
What wasn’t instantly recognized was when, the place or even when Williams would truly play once more.
Final 12 months, when it was revealed that Ms. Williams had signed a cope with the ITIA to return to the drug testing pool, she wrote on social media: “Oh no I am not going again. This wildfire is loopy.”
Her consultant didn’t instantly reply to a request for remark Monday. A spokesperson for the WTA Tour additionally had no remark.
Williams, one of many recreation’s greats, hasn’t competed for the reason that 2022 U.S. Open. On the time, Williams stated she didn’t need to use the phrase “retirement” and as an alternative declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
Athletes returning for testing will likely be required to offer details about their whereabouts, together with particulars of the place they’re when not collaborating in official occasions and the occasions they’re obtainable to offer samples. If a participant retires whereas on the record after which returns, he should bear six months of testing earlier than being allowed to return to competitors.
Final 12 months, when phrase broke that Williams had taken the primary steps essential to return, U.S. Tennis Affiliation spokesperson Brendan McIntyre stated, “If Serena decides to return and compete on the skilled stage, we, together with our followers, will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of many biggest champions within the historical past of our sport.”
Williams’ older sister Venus returned to competitors in July at age 45 after being away from the tour for a few 12 months and a half. She by no means introduced her retirement. On the US Open, Venus Williams grew to become the oldest participant to play singles at an American Grand Slam event since 1981.
When Venus, a seven-time main singles champion, returned on the DC Open, she stated she hoped Serena would return to the tour. They received 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a pair.
“I hold telling my staff, ‘The one factor that makes this higher is that she’s right here,'” Venus Williams stated on the time, when requested a few video on social media exhibiting Serena swinging a racket. “In fact I miss her as a result of we at all times did every part collectively.” “But when she comes again, I am certain she’ll let everybody know.”
