Remembering Serena’s emotional farewell interview at the U.S. Open (3:10)Serena Williams thanks her parents, her sisters and millions of fans in an emotional farewell interview at the US Open. (3:10)
Associated PressMultiple AuthorsFeb 9, 2026, 12:49 PM ET
Serena Williams passed another stage on the path to a possible comeback to professional tennis, being listed Monday by the sport’s drug testing organization as eligible to return to competition on Feb. 22.
That is six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion initially registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency. Williams, 44, was listed on the ITIA website’s reinstatement page Monday.
When it was revealed last year that Williams had signed up with ITIA to return to the drug testing pool, she wrote on social media: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Her agent did not immediately return a request for comment Monday. Neither did a spokesperson for the WTA Tour.
Williams, one of the greats of the game, has not competed since the 2022 US Open. At the time, Williams said she didn’t want to use the word “retiring” and instead declared that she was “evolving” away from tennis.
Last year, when word emerged that Williams had made an initial move required for a return, U.S. Tennis Association spokesman Brendan McIntyre said: “If Serena decides to return and compete at the professional level, together with her fans, we will enthusiastically welcome the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of our sport.”
Williams’ older sister, Venus, returned to competition in July at age 45 after nearly 1½ years away from the tour; she never had announced her retirement. At the US Open, Venus Williams became the oldest player to play singles at the American Grand Slam tournament since 1981.
Remembering Serena’s emotional farewell interview at the U.S. Open (3:10)Serena Williams thanks her parents, her sisters and millions of fans in an emotional farewell interview at the US Open. (3:10)
Serena Williams thanks her parents, her sisters and millions of fans in an emotional farewell interview at the US Open. (3:10)
What was not immediately known was when, where or even whether Williams actually will play again.