"To return to competition, however, retired athletes must make themselves available for out-of-competition testing for six months before they are allowed to enter an event. Her name appeared on the agency's updated testing-pool list dated 6 October. An ITIA spokesperson confirmed that Williams had requested reinstatement to the pool, though emphasized that a place on the list is not itself evidence of an imminent comeback. A representative for Williams did not immediately respond to questions from the Guardian about her intentions."
"The ITIA's registered pool does not include every active player; it is largely reserved for top-ranked singles competitors, high-level doubles and wheelchair athletes, and pros coming back after extended absences. Re-entry is the mandatory first step for any retired player who wants the option of competing again whether in singles, doubles or a one-off appearance and Williams' presence on the list marks her first such step since she formally stepped away after the 2022 US Open."
Serena Williams rejoined the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s registered testing pool on 6 October, her first return since stepping away after the 2022 US Open. She has not played an official match since reaching the third round at that tournament and filed paperwork in September 2022 to be exempted from year-round whereabouts requirements. Retired players must be available for out-of-competition testing for six months before entering events, and the ITIA confirmed her reinstatement request while stressing that inclusion on the list does not prove an imminent comeback. The registered pool mainly covers top-ranked singles, elite doubles and wheelchair competitors and is the mandatory first step for retired players seeking eligibility to compete again.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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