Serena Williams has called for a review into tennis’ anti-doping policy ahead of her return to Wimbledon at the age of 44.
The former world No.1 will be playing in her first major event since the 2022 US Open after opting to stage a comeback earlier this year. The process started in 2025 when the American entered the anti-doping pool, which is a procedure that all players must follow for six months before becoming eligible to play professional tennis. Williams has previously spent more than 20 years playing under anti-doping regulations, but changes to the system have left her frustrated.
Conducting her pre-tournament media duties at Wimbledon on Sunday, the 23-time Grand Slam champion criticised the practice of having to test players outside of the one-hour slot when they say they are available. This is a requirement of the World Anti-Doping Agency for its members, which includes the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA).
“It’s gruelling. I didn’t know some of the rules. Apparently, if you miss a test outside of your window, it still counts as missed. I’m like, I guess I can’t go pick up my kids,” a bemused Williams commented.
“It’s unprofessional. I hate it. I think it’s necessary, but I think a lot of the stuff, if I want to go places outside of my window, I should be able to go without having it count as a missed test.”
The practice has been brought into the limelight following the four-year ban of former Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova, who refused to conduct a test outside of the time slot. Although the penalty is different as she refused the test and didn’t miss it, which athletes can do up to three times in a 12-month period without facing sanctions.
“I think that there has to be a different way to make it reasonable, ’cause that’s just unreasonable. That was a big reason why I didn’t want to come back either, because it’s just so hard.” Williams continued in her criticism of the doping rules.
“I mean, my life is busy, I run a company, I run a VC company, I travel the world. I have children. It’s like I could be in so many different cities, so many different times.
“But just getting that discipline of, like, reporting. Obviously, I don’t mind because I love, and I always have been very clear about what I do. Just getting in that routine of, like, all right, first of all, learning the new rules, then just getting back and reporting every day.”
Another Wimbledon, different expectations
Williams is making her 22nd appearance at SW19 this year. A seven-time champion, she has played a total of 112 singles matches at the Grand Slam and has won 98 of them. Across all major events, she has won 78 out of 81 first round matches. Although two of those losses were at Wimbledon in 2021 and 2022.
“I think in general my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,” she said of her 2026 campaign.
“I feel like my feelings are just – not that I never enjoyed it before, or else I wouldn’t be here today – but I feel like I’m really going to enjoy being out there.”
Australia’s Maya Joint is Williams’ first round opponent, who has lost 13 of her last 14 matches played. Accepting a last-minute spot in the main draw of a major singles event following a long break is a daunting prospect. Something Williams herself admits she is still unsure about. As for nerves, that will be nothing new for her.
“I was also nervous every single match I ever played in my life,” she explained.
“I think that showed the passion and the love and the care, that I cared about my job, whether it was the first round or the second round or the finals. I’ve always had some nerves. But then I just dust ’em off, then I move on.
“I definitely expect to have those same feelings.”
Williams’ first round match will be the last to take place on Center Court on Tuesday.
