Serena has stopped the renewed talk of her returning to the tour, clarifying that she won’t be back despite being registered for anti-doping tests. After speculation on the internet, the 23-time Grand Slam champion was very clear.
Serena’s message on X
On X (formerly Twitter), Serena wrote “Oh my god, you all, I’m NOT coming back. This rumor is crazy!” This was after a few days of people thinking her registration for drug testing meant she was going to start competing again.
Her direct and firm denial put an end to all the guessing. It also reminded people that just because something is done for administrative reasons, doesn’t mean her plans have changed.
What ITIA registration actually means
Serena is back in the ITIA’s testing pool, and this means she has to tell them where she is every day and be available for surprise drug tests when she isn’t at a tournament. This is what all athletes aiming to follow anti-doping regulations must do.
Importantly, the ITIA still considers Serena a retired player. Going back into the testing pool isn’t the same as being actively back on the tour or being on a list of players in a tournament; it just means she’s following the anti-doping rules.
According to ITIA rules, someone in the testing pool could play again after six months of testing. Serena hasn’t shown any sign she intends to do this, and her post on X left no doubt about what she’s doing in the near future.
Serena hasn’t played since the 2022 US Open, where she said goodbye to the sport in a very emotional way. In 2022 she said she was “moving away from tennis” which she said was a gradual change, not a sudden stop.
Recently, pictures of Serena on the court with her little daughter, Adira River, caused people to talk. But those pictures were of a mother and child, and weren’t about any changes in her tennis career.
The last time Serena won a Grand Slam was in 2017, not long before she had her child. After being on maternity leave, she played in four major finals, and continued to try to win her 24th Grand Slam (which would have equaled Margaret Court’s record).
The tennis world would be thrilled if she ever decided to play again. But right now, both what she says and the official records say she’s retired, and a return isn’t going to happen.
Venus Williams is coming back to play in 2025 after being away from the sport for a long time, and this gave fans a little hope for a doubles partnership. People still want to see that happen, but Serena has been clear that she is not going to play on the tour.
A legacy secure, a future beyond tennis
Serena’s achievements are already secure in history: 23 major titles, 319 weeks as number one in the world, and a huge effect on how popular tennis is around the world. She attracted many people to watch on TV, buy tickets, and discuss the sport in a way that very few athletes have.
She’s now enjoying life outside of tennis, concentrating on her family and her businesses, and making a few appearances in public. She is still a big influence in society, but not as someone actively competing.
From the point of view of drug testing, her situation is easy to understand. Being in the ITIA pool technically keeps the possibility open, but you’d need six months of testing and a definite decision to return to actually play. She hasn’t said she is going to do either of those things.
So, for anyone wondering what’s next, it’s simple: enjoy the memories of her great play, admire her accomplishments, and believe what Serena says. Serena Williams says she isn’t returning to tennis, and that is the truth.
