Serena Williams doesn’t want you to call it a comeback.
After reports that the 44-year-old registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency's (ITIA) testing pool, three years after officially retiring from the sport, Serena addressed whether it meant she was officially returning to the sport.
“Omg yall,” Serena wrote on a Dec. 2 post on X. “I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.”
Serena—who shares daughters Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2, with husband Alexis Ohanian—didn’t clarify why she registered with the organization.
For the ITIA’s part, spokesperson Adrian Bassett told The Athletic, "She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool. 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.”
Indeed, after being reinstated for six months, Serena would be eligible to return to the court after subjecting to random drug tests.
The tennis great’s final appearance on the court came when she was defeated by Ajla Tomljanovi during the US Open championship in 2022. Serena recently spoke about her decision to step away from the sport after 27 years and how she rediscovered her identity outside of tennis and motherhood.
"I want to bring in more clarity, confidence that I made the right decisions and that you don’t always have to live only for your children," Serena told PORTER in an interview published Dec. 1. "I’m discovering me again."
Retirement also helped bring Serena clarity with her body image, after the years of constant chatter surrounding her physique from the outside world.
"It does affect you mentally," Serena shared. "Absolutely. You think you’re large for your whole life and you look [back] and you’re like, 'I was fit.' Yeah, I had big muscles. I didn’t look like these other girls, but not everyone looks the same."
“It was hard because when I was playing in the beginning—the first 15 years—my body was different," she added. "I had big boobs; I had a big butt. Every athlete was like super-flat, super-thin and beautiful, but in a different way."
For more on Serena’s life after tennis with her family, keep reading…
Smart and Strong
...Like Her Mama.
Sleeping Beauty
Zzzzzz...
Mommy and Daughter
Serena and her little girl love Snapchat!
Pretty in Pink
"Making moves," read the caption on the photo, posted on the child's Instagram page.
Baby's First Halloween
"When you realize you're the hero Gotham needs," read the caption on the photo, posted on the child's Instagram page.
Bath Time
Serena posted on her Instagram page this photo of Alexis and baby Alexis, writing, "We love bath time."
Bling
Serena showcases her new wedding ring in this adorable pic of her daughter.
Teddy Bear Cutie
"Wait till I see you S," read the caption to this photo, posted on the child's Instagram page in December 2017.
Quality Time With Auntie
Olympia appears with Serena's sister Isha Price.
Pow!
"Dad & I hit the gym hard today," read the caption to this photo, posted on the child's Instagram page in December 2017.
Twinning
Mommy and daughter are twinsies!
New Year's Eve
The happy mama has some fun on Snapchat.
Dress Up Time
Serena's baby girl rocks a Janie and Jack's striped sweater dress on Instagram Stories.
Sock Hop Style
Introducing the most stylish mother-daughter duo!
Coolest Kid
Olympia meets LL Cool J.
Twinsies
Serena and Olympia rock matching pink.
Sleeping Beauty
Even though she's dressed like Snow White, Olympia channels Sleeping Beauty during nap time.
Tea Time
"olympiaohanian loves her afternoon tea," Serena captioned this July 2022 snap, "and cheering for mama."
Zoom Squad
Olympia rides around a golf car with mom Serena and dad Alexis Ohanian Sr.
Big Sister Alert
Olympia became a big sister when Serena gave birth to daughter Adira River Ohanian in August 2023.
Precious Moments
The tiny tot is all smiles when she meets her little sister for the first time.
Hole in Fun
Adira inherited her mom's love of sports, showing off her skills in August 2025.
Tennis Toddler
Serena shared her "passion for tennis with my youngest daughter" in Novemeber 2025.