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Tennis legend Serena Williams shut down rumors of a potential comeback after it was reported she reentered the testing pool last month.
Williams, 44, registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s (ITIA) testing pool for the first time since she retired in 2022, according to Bounces. She last played in the 2022 U.S. Open, where she advanced to the third round before being defeated by Ajla Tomljanović.
When Williams retired, she applied for official retirement, meaning she would not have to tell the ITIA her whereabouts for random drug testing. To reenter as a retired athlete, Williams must be available for out-of-competition testing for six months before being allowed to enter an event.
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Serena Williams gestures to the crowd after a match against Ajla Tomljanovic of Australia at the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2022. (Danielle Parhizkaran/USA Today Sports)
Williams’ name was on the ITIA’s updated testing pool list Oct. 6. Just because Williams’ name is on the list does not mean that a return to play is imminent.
But Williams dismissed any notion of a comeback on social media Tuesday, posting on X, “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-.”
The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion being listed was the requisite first step for any retired player who would like the option of competing again.
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Serena Williams gives an interview to Mary Jo Fernandez after her match against Ajla Tomljanovic (not pictured) at the 2022 U.S. Open tennis tournament at the USTA Billie Jean King Tennis Center in Flushing, N.Y., Sept. 2, 2022. (Geoff Burke/USA Today Sports)
Williams’ sister, Venus, took a break but never formally retired, which allowed her to compete after 16 months away from competing.
Serena Williams reportedly first sought reinstatement in August, just before the U.S. Open, according to the Bounces report. However, due to the reentry process, she was unable to play.
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Serena Williams, in a surprise appearance, speaks at the International Tennis Hall of Fame to induct Maria Sharapova into in Newport, R.I. (Imagn)
Williams is second all-time in Grand Slam singles titles to Margaret Court, who won 24. Williams, with 23 championships, has taken the first step in trying to get that 24th championship if she chooses to compete again.
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