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Serena Williams Makes Decision On Return To Professional Tennis

Originally posted on The Spun | By Chris Rosvoglou | Last updated Dec 2, 2025 3:13 PM ET

Don't call it a comeback just yet, but we might see Serena Williams back in action next season.

Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam champion, walked away from tennis after the 2022 US Open. Her final match was a three-set thriller against Ajla Tomljanovic. Although she lost at Arthur Ashe Stadium, she reminded everyone why she's been a fan favorite for over two decades. It doesn't matter if she's down a set or a point away from victory, you're always going to get her best effort.

Prior to the 2022 US Open, Williams said she was "evolving" away from tennis. She tried hard to dance around saying she's retired.

"I've been reluctant to admit to myself or anyone else that I have to move on from playing tennis. Alexis [Ohanian], my husband, and I have hardly talked about it; it's like a taboo topic. I can't even have this conversation with my mom and dad. It's like it's not real until you say it out loud," Williams said in August of 2022. "It comes up, I get an uncomfortable lump in my throat, and I start to cry. The only person I've really gone there with is my therapist! One thing I'm not going to do is sugarcoat this. I know that a lot of people are excited about and look forward to retiring, and I really wish I felt that way."

LONDON, ENGLAND - JULY 09: Serena Williams of The United States celebrates during The Ladies Singles Final against Angelique Kerber of Germany on day twelve of the Wimbledon Lawn Tennis Championships at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club on July 9, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

Is Serena coming back?

Williams declared herself retired with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) in 2022. Interesting enough, she has reentered the ITIA's doping test pool.

According to The Athletic, Williams reentered the registered testing pool on Oct. 6. Her agent, Jill Smoller, has not yet commented on this matter.

By reentering the doping test pool, Williams has opened the door for a return to the court.

"Her name remains listed on the site as retired, but she would be eligible to return to competition and be listed as a reinstated player following six months of being an active player in the pool," ESPN's D'Arcy Maine wrote. "Those players -- which includes most in the top 100 -- must provide their whereabouts at any given time, every day, and participate in random testing."

This past summer, Venus Williams returned to the WTA Tour and showed tremendous fight during the hard-court season.

At this point, we can't rule out Serena doing the same in 2026.

This article first appeared on The Spun and was syndicated with permission.

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