TENNIS WORLD BUZZES AS COMEBACK WINDOW OPENS

Legendary American tennis star Serena Williams is back at the centre of one of the sport’s biggest storylines after being officially listed as eligible to return to professional competition from 22 February 22, nearly three and a half years after her last WTA Tour match.

The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) confirmed that Williams’ name appears on its reinstated list, meaning she’s completed the mandatory six-month anti-doping testing period required to compete again.

But while that opens the door to a return to competition, Serena hasn’t said she’s planning to step back on court and remains noncommittal about a full-blown comeback.

Williams, 44 and one of the most decorated players in tennis history with 23 Grand Slam singles titles, hadn’t officially retired when she left the tour after the 2022 US Open, opting instead to describe her departure as “evolving away” from the sport.

Early speculation around her comeback was sparked in 2025 when she re-entered the ITIA testing pool, a procedural move necessary to regain eligibility, even though she publicly dismissed rumours of returning, calling them “crazy” in a social media post.

Interest around her possible return gathered momentum as she deflected questions about it during a January TV interview, saying she’d simply “see what happens.”

Now that her eligibility date is set, pundits and fans alike are wondering whether Serena might target major events later this year, like Indian Wells, Miami or even Wimbledon if she chooses to enter.

Image credit: CNN