American tennis player Serena Williams has taken another step towards a possible return to professional tennis, as the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) today included her on the list of players eligible to return to competition from February 22nd.
It comes six months after the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion re-registered with the ITIA anti-doping system. Williams, who is 44, appeared on the ITIA's official website.
However, it is still unknown if, when, and where Serena Williams will actually return to the court.
When it was revealed last year that she had checked into the anti-doping system, Williams took to social media to say she had no plans to return, stressing that the allegations were misconstrued. Her representatives, as well as the WTA Tour, have not commented on the latest information.
The US Tennis Association previously announced that Serena Williams' eventual return would be welcomed with enthusiasm, with the message that it would be the return of one of the greatest champions in the history of the sport.
Williams has not played a professional match since the 2022 US Open, when she bid farewell to the audience, emphasizing that she was not retiring but "evolving" outside of tennis.
According to the rules, athletes returning to the competitive system must be available for anti-doping controls for six months before they are allowed to return to tournaments.
Her older sister Venus Williams returned to competition last summer at the age of 45, becoming the oldest tennis player to play singles at the US Open since 1981. Venus said at the time that she would like Serena to join her on tour again, recalling that together they won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles.
"I keep telling my team that everything would be perfect if she were here. We always did everything together, that's why I miss her," Venus said on that occasion.
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