Tennis icon Serena Williams has formally re-entered the Worldwide Tennis Integrity Company’s testing pool, sparking quick buzz a few potential return to competitors. The 44-year-old has not performed for the reason that 2022 US Open, the place she mentioned she was “evolving away from tennis” slightly than absolutely retiring.

Becoming a member of the testing pool is a required step for any athlete exploring a comeback and contains six months of availability earlier than competing once more. Whereas the transfer raised eyebrows throughout the sports activities world, Williams shortly clarified that followers shouldn’t anticipate a return to the tour.

Taking to X, she wrote, “Omg yall I’m NOT coming again. This wildfire is loopy.” Her assertion ended the swirling hypothesis, at the same time as many followers continued to carry out hope.

Williams stays one of the vital embellished athletes in historical past with 23 Grand Slam singles titles. Though she is fulfilling the ITIA’s eligibility requirement, she maintains that she has no plans to compete professionally once more.

Her resolution retains her choices open however confirms, for now, that her evolution past tennis continues.