Serena Williams Eligible to Return to Professional Tennis from February 22

Serena Williams has been listed as eligible to return to tennis from February 22 by the sport's drug-testing body (ITIA), though ‌it remains unclear whether the ‌23-time Grand Slam champion will make a stunning comeback to the women's ⁠tour.

The 44-year-old raised eyebrows late ‌last year after rejoining the tennis anti-doping testing pool, though she denied at the time the move signalled she was preparing ‌to return to the sport she dominated for nearly two decades.

She reignited speculation ⁠last month when she deflected questions about a possible return during an appearance on NBC's "Today" show.

The Women's Tennis Association did not immediately respond to a request for comment outside normal business ⁠hours.

Williams, who won her last ‌Grand Slam singles title in 2017, has not competed since the 2022 US Open.