Williams was never a fan of the term retirement, preferring instead to say she was “stepping away” from the sport in 2022.
Bill Clinton, Billie Jean King, Tiger Woods and Mike Tyson were in the crowd in New York three years ago when Williams won her first two singles matches in her last US Open.
Her career was eventually ended by Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round, but only after Williams saved five match points in an electric night session at Arthur Ashe Stadium.
Every retired player must make themselves available for testing out of competition for six months before being eligible to compete professionally again.
It is not known exactly when Williams asked to have her name added to the list again, but, even if she has to wait six months from October 6, that would make a return possible from April.
Only Margaret Court and Novak Djokovic have won more Grand Slam singles titles than Williams.
Her titles of seven Australian Opens, three French Opens, seven Wimbledon and six US Opens are the most singles titles by any woman in the Open era.
Serena’s older sister Venus returned earlier this year after a 16-month tour.
Venus, a seven-time major singles champion, competed in singles and doubles at the US Open at the age of 45, reaching the last eight of the women’s doubles with Leyla Fernandez.
Serena and Venus won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together and three Olympic gold medals, and the prospect of a Williams sisters reunion in 2026 remains an attractive one.
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