• Serena Williams re-enters the tennis anti-doping testing pool.
• She firmly denies rumors of returning to professional tennis.
• The tennis great has not competed since the 2022 U.S. Open.
• Her last statement stressed an "evolution away" from the sport.
• Previous speculation surrounds her status despite unclear intentions.

Serena Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam champion, has confirmed her re-entry into the tennis anti-doping testing pool, yet she emphatically denies any plans to return to competition. The International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) noted her inclusion along with her requirement to undergo random drug testing, prompting rumors regarding a comeback, which Williams addressed by stating, "Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy," according to Reuters and Los Angeles Times.

Her last competitive appearance was during the 2022 U.S. Open, where she lost to Ajla Tomljanovic in the third round. Following her retirement announcement, Williams registered with the ITIA as a retired player, thus lifting her obligation for regular testing. The re-addition to the drug testing pool allows her the possibility to return after a six-month availability period for out-of-competition testing, a point confirmed by ITIA officials, according to BBC.

The timeline of when Williams requested to re-enter the testing pool remains unclear, though her competitive eligibility could resume in April if she continues on the current path. Despite this, Williams has previously avoided using the term "retirement," suggesting she is instead "evolving away from tennis," a sentiment she expressed in a Vogue article in 2022. This statement reflects her ongoing desire to explore ventures outside of the sport, as noted by sources including Los Angeles Times and Reuters.