Since Serena Williams hung up her racquets in 2022, the American has stepped away from the game whereas nonetheless remaining within the public eye. Merely put, Serena retains busy. There are appearances to make, entreprenurial endeavors to pursue, and droves of followers to replace on social media. For the American icon and one of many GOATS of tennis, issues could also be headed within the path of the tennis court docket for one final fling with the game that she mesmerized for greater than twenty years.
In response to Ben Rothenberg of Bounces, Williams has utilized for reinstatement and, if all goes as deliberate, will be part of the ranks of lively gamers quickly.
Right here’s what Rothenberg, who has executed the due diligence on this topic, mentioned in a current e-mail blast on the topic.
Bounces can report that, inside the previous couple of months, Serena has utilized for reinstatement to tennis and has been added again into into the testing pool.
What does that imply for Serena, who’s 44, and her future on the WTA Tour? Exhausting to say. Rothenberg additionally reported that Williams additionally tried to get reinstated in order that she may be part of her sister Venus on the doubles court docket eventually 12 months’s US Open, however the paperwork wasn’t filed in time.
Maybe Serena is getting forward of the sport for an opportunity to companion Venus on the 2026 US Open? Maybe she simply desires to have the choice to try this? Or perhaps she desires to take a shot at being a singles star once more.
One factor is for sure. If she comes again she’ll must enter the ITF’s testing pool, which requires her making herself accessible for out-of-competition testing for at the least six months previous to the occasion she needs to play. That’s a dedication, and would point out that she’s severe about getting again on the court docket.
Right here’s what Rothenberg mentioned about that:
Except she modifies her thoughts, Serena’s title will seem on that reinstated listing quickly. Greater than three years after her final match, Bounces can report that, inside the previous couple of months, Serena has utilized for reinstatement to tennis and has been added again into into the testing pool.
Paperwork present that Williams has been on the ITIA’s testing pool since October of this 12 months, so she may very well be eligible to play six months after that, or perhaps even sooner, relying upon when she really entered the testing pool.
Too early to say what’s going to come of all this, however intriguing to know that the wheels are in movement for a possible Serena comeback to tennis in 2026. She is going to flip 45 subsequent September, if you happen to’re scoring at house.
Thanks as all the time to Bounces for offering the inside track and the context.
