Serena Williams: Tennis great denies comeback despite re-entering drug testing pool
Williams has never liked the word retirement, preferring to say she will “step away” from the sport in 2022.
Three years ago, Bill Clinton, Billie Jean King, Tiger Woods and Mike Tyson were among the crowd in New York when Williams won her first two singles matches at her final U.S. Open.
Her career was ultimately ended in the third round by Australia’s Ajla Tomjanovic, but only after Williams saved five match points in a brilliant night match at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Each retired player must undergo out-of-competition testing within six months before being eligible to play professionally again.
It’s unclear when Williams will ask to have her name added back to the list, but even if she has to wait six months from October 6, she could return starting in April.
Williams spoke about using weight-loss drugs during an appearance on US television’s Today show in August.
She said she struggled to lose weight and had to “try something different” despite “training five hours a day” and “running, walking, biking, climbing stairs.”
Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have won more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams.
With seven Australian Open titles, three French Open titles, seven Wimbledon titles and six U.S. Open titles, she is the most important singles champion among all women in the Open Era.
Serena’s sister Venus returned from touring after 16 months earlier this year.
Venus, a seven-time Grand Slam singles champion, competed in singles and doubles at the U.S. Open at the age of 45, reaching the women’s doubles quarterfinals with Leila Fernandez.
Serena and Venus have won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles and three Olympic gold medals together, and the prospect of the Williams sisters reuniting in 2026 remains tantalizing.
