The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) said Serena Williams has taken the first step towards returning to tennis by registering with the sport’s drug testing agency.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion, considered one of the greatest players in tennis, has not competed since bidding farewell to the 2022 U.S. Open.

The 44-year-old said at the time that she did not want to use the word “retirement” and instead said she was “stepping away” from tennis.

Athletes who decide to return for testing will need to provide information about when and where they can provide a sample.

They also need to complete six months of testing before returning to competition.

Williams’ sister, Venus, returned to tennis in July at the age of 45 after nearly two years away from the tour, and she never announced her retirement.

At the U.S. Open, Venus became the oldest singles player to participate in a Grand Slam event since 1981.

Seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus has previously expressed her hope that Serena will return to the tour. They won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles as a partnership.

Williams: The conversation around black women in sports has changed

Williams recently spoke about how the conversation surrounding black women in sports is “changing.”

The 44-year-old, who is featured in the latest cover story of Net-A-Porter’s digital magazine Porter, who won 23 Grand Slam titles in a 27-year career, spoke to the magazine about the resilience she has built as a black woman in sport.

“As a black man, growing up in tennis, it’s like, OK, there’s negativity that comes with it. I don’t hear the noise. Everybody’s entitled to their opinion,” Williams said.

Breaking into the predominantly white game was not an easy task for the tennis star, who faced criticism and racial prejudice throughout her career.

Now hailed by many for her influence and role in changing the sport, she says the conversation around black women in sport has “changed”.

“No one calls these girls like me. People say we’re like men,” she said.

“But I’m glad girls now don’t have to go through that.”

Statistically the greatest tennis player of her era, Williams played 1,011 matches on the WTA Tour during her long career and faced opponents born every year from 1966 to 2003.

“No matter how much you prepare for retirement, especially doing something at such a high level every day, it’s difficult,” she said. “I definitely tried my best to prepare myself, but it was still a little difficult.

“I wanted to give everyone more clarity and confidence that I made the right decision and that you don’t always have to live just for your kids. I found myself again.”

Watch the 2026 ATP and WTA Tour events live on Sky Sports or Live with NOW and sky sports appthis year Sky Sports customers can watch more than 50% of live sports events for free. Learn more here.