Serena Williams has dispelled rumours of a return to professional tennis, even after registering with the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA). The 23-time Grand Slam champion, widely regarded as one of the sport’s all-time greats, has not competed since her farewell at the 2022 US Open.
In a social media post on Tuesday, Williams wrote: “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” Registration with the ITIA is a standard procedure for athletes intending to resume competition, requiring detailed whereabouts reporting and six months of eligibility testing, but Williams confirmed she has no plans to resume her career.
The 44-year-old star first announced her departure from tennis three years ago, describing it as an “evolution” rather than retirement. A key factor in stepping back was her desire to expand her family; Williams welcomed her second daughter, Adira River Ohanian, in August 2023, nearly six years after her first child, Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr., with husband Alexis Ohanian. During her first pregnancy, she won the 2017 Australian Open, moving within one Grand Slam of Margaret Court’s all-time singles record.
Williams’ sister, Venus, returned to competition in July at age 45, becoming the oldest Grand Slam singles competitor since 1981. The sisters have previously expressed interest in reuniting on tour, having won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together.
Throughout her 27-year career, Williams broke barriers as a Black woman in a predominantly white sport. Speaking to Porter magazine, she reflected on the challenges she faced and the progress for Black women in tennis today: “Growing up and being Black in tennis comes with negativity. I don’t hear the noise. Everyone is entitled to their opinion… No one’s calling these girls the things I was called. I’m so happy that girls nowadays don’t have to go through it as much.”
Williams’ professional record is extraordinary: 1,011 WTA Tour matches, 23 Grand Slam singles titles, and victories over generations of players born from 1966 to 2003. Reflecting on her retirement, she said: “No matter how prepared you are to retire, especially from performing at such a high level every day, it’s hard. I prepped myself the best way I could, but it’s still a little difficult. I want to bring clarity and confidence that I made the right decisions, and that you don’t always have to live only for your children. I’m discovering me again.”
Even away from the court, Serena Williams’ impact on tennis and sport at large remains unmatched, cementing her legacy as one of the greatest athletes of her generation.
