Serena Williams eligible for stunning return to WTA Tour later this month

Serena Williams could make one of the most high-profile sporting comebacks of the 21st century after the date she can return to tennis was confirmed.

The 23-time Grand Slam champion retired from professional tennis at the 2022 US Open. She was defeated by Ajla Tomljanovic, and her ceremony on Arthur Ashe Stadium was among the most emotional ever seen in tennis.

Since then, Williams has focused on being a mother and an entrepreneur, and on sharing her weight-loss journey with a specific medication. The American starring in a Super Bowl advertisement for the drug caused controversy, but Holger Rune defended her.

A few months ago, speculation began about Williams returning to the WTA Tour after the International Tennis Integrity Agency confirmed that the 44-year-old was in its drug-testing pool, a requirement players must complete for six months before being allowed to compete professionally.

Williams initially ruled out the possibility of her playing again in a social media post, but a media appearance followed that in the U.S., where she did not definitively say that it would never happen.

It has now been confirmed that Williams can freely return from Sunday, 22nd February. That has raised excitement levels among fans, with there being many possibilities for how a comeback would be executed.

Some think Serena's sister, Venus Williams, plans to end her own legendary career this season, and that reentering the ITIA's protocols is a necessary step for playing doubles with Venus one final time. If true, that would almost certainly occur at the 2026 US Open.

A second scenario is that Williams wants to compete at some of her favorite tournaments again before retiring for good. Home American tournaments and Wimbledon, where she did not say a proper goodbye, are events she may want to appear at.

The other option is Williams making a proper return to WTA action despite being 44. Her 45-year-old sister is still playing at a high level, although she understandably has not come close to the peak that brought her seven Grand Slams.

Although unconfirmed by Williams, it is highly likely that she will play again somewhere. The tennis icon going through the ITIA's doping protocols, which are not fun, was not done for no reason.

Novak Djokovic is widely regarded as the best player in tennis history, but he is tied with Margaret Court for the most Grand Slams at 24. Djokovic was one victory from breaking the record at the 2026 Australian Open before Carlos Alcaraz beat him in the final.

Serena Williams had a great opportunity to equal and surpass the records of Court and Djokovic. After winning 23 of her first 29 Major singles finals, she lost her last four without dropping a set and seemed burdened by the chance.

Djokovic still believes he can win another Grand Slam despite the devastating defeat against Alcaraz. If the Serbian, now 38, achieved that, it would arguably be the most impressive feat ever seen in tennis.