“I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me,” is what Serena Williams wrote in 2022. After two decades of an illustrious career that saw 73 tour titles, including 23 Grand Slams, the American finally hung up her racket. She chose to prioritise her family and health, and she’s done just that over the last three years. But it looks like there’s only so long you can keep the pro off the court!

Williams’ name has popped up on an unusual list. According to Adrian Bassett, a spokesperson for the ITIA, “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool.” In a text message on Tuesday, December 2, Bassett added, “I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”

Her name surfaces on the ITIA’s updated list of players dated October 6 this year, stirring plenty of curiosity about what it might mean. A spokesperson for Serena Williams has not yet responded to requests for comment. The testing pool doesn’t include every active player, but it does mean those listed are open to out-of-competition testing. And with Serena’s name suddenly back on it, the speculation has clearly begun.

This is a developing story…