The return of Serena Williams has not been announced, but it has now been revealed when she will be allowed to play on the Tour again if she wishes.
On Monday, the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) updated its list of reinstated players to the Tour. The 23-time Grand Slam champion will officially come out of retirement on February 23rd after making herself free for out-of-competition anti-doping tests for six months leading up to this date. Williams fuelled speculation of staging a comeback last year when she rejoined the anti-doping testing pool.
Williams, 44, has been coy about a possible return to the Tour. Although she didn’t rule it out when speaking on the Today show last month.
“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” she replied when asked about coming out of retirement.
“That’s not a yes or a no. I don’t know, I’m just going to see what happens.” She added.
The former world No.1 hasn’t played a Tour-level match since losing in the third round of the 2022 US Open. Earlier this year, she held a hitting session with Alycia Parks, who told Tennis Majors she believes her compatriot is in good shape for a potential return.
“She is in great shape. So I think she would kill it on tour.” Parks said.
Away from the sport, Williams has been brought back into the spotlight after starring in a commercial that aired during the Super Bowl. She was promoting GLP-1 medication from telehealth provider Ro, which is a weight-loss injection. Williams said she was “moving better” and “feeling better” thanks to the drug. One of Ro’s investors is her husband, Alexis Ohanian, who also serves on its board.
Some have criticised Williams for promoting the use of injections to tackle weight loss instead of conventional methods and have raised concerns about the potential risks that could be involved. Although the drug Williams is promoting has received relevant approval to be used.
On the other hand, others have jumped to her defence, with Holger Rune being one of them.
“Being overweight comes with a health risk, like alcohol and seeking help to overcome personal challenges is always the right thing to do. I think it’s great that Serena Williams don’t pretend it just happened overnight, but openly inform about what she did to achieve her personal goals in terms of her body,” Rune wrote on X.
There is not one right or wrong way here, there is only the way that is good for you and we should not shame on this.”
Williams has yet to comment on the ITIA reinstating her to the Tour. Such a movement isn’t a guarantee she will resume her career, but it has officially opened the door for her to do so if she wishes.
