Serena Williams: Comeback on the Horizon?

Serena Williams clears hurdle for potential return

Serena Williams listed as eligible to return to professional tennis on February 22, reigniting speculation about a possible comeback.

Williams had previously denied that rejoining the testing pool signaled a return to tennis...

Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, has been listed as eligible to return to professional tennis on February 22 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). This comes after she re-entered the drug-testing pool late last year, sparking speculation about a possible comeback.

Call it a comeback 😉 @serenawilliams has yet to confirm a return, but she'll be eligible on February 22nd after re-entering the ITIA testing pool. pic.twitter.com/QUikJ7THgY

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) February 10, 2026

Uncertainty Surrounds Potential Comeback

Despite being eligible to return, it's still unclear whether the 44-year-old will make a stunning comeback to the women's tour. Williams had previously denied that rejoining the testing pool signaled a return to tennis, saying “I'm NOT coming back” on social media. However, she has also sent mixed signals, deflecting questions about a possible return during an appearance on NBC's “Today” show.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, who last competed at the 2022 US Open, has been listed as eligible to return to tennis from February 22 by the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The Women's Tennis Association (WTA) hasn't commented on her potential comeback, citing hours outside normal business.