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BREAKING: SERENA WILLIAMS CLEARED FOR 2026 PRO TENNIS RETURN FOLLOWING ITIA REINSTATEMENT

Serena Williams has been cleared by the ITIA for a 2026 tennis return as she sparks controversy with a weight-loss drug commercial.

Breaking: Serena Williams Cleared For 2026 Pro Tennis Return Following ITIA Reinstatement
Serena Williams Set To Join Venus On WTA Tour

Serena Williams just took another step toward a possible tennis comeback. She’s been cleared by the sport’s drug-testing authority to return later this month.

Serena hasn’t played a professional match since the 2022 US Open. Back in August, she surprised everyone by signing up for the drug-testing pool again, which made people wonder if she was really thinking about returning—especially at 44.

When news first broke last year that she’d registered with the International Tennis Integrity Agency, Serena jumped on social media and wrote, “Omg y’all I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy.” But now, six months later, her name has popped up on the ITIA’s reinstatement page.

It’s still not clear if Serena actually plans to compete again. She’d be eligible to return as soon as February 22, just a few months before her 45th birthday.

All this happened just a day after she stirred up controversy with a Super Bowl commercial for a weight-loss drug. In the ad, she credited the company Ro for her transformation, saying she started using their GLP-1 medication after retiring. One part of the commercial even showed her injecting the drug. In another, she used Ro’s app to order a new pill version of the medication.

Serena didn’t just talk about losing weight—she said she’s also eased the stress on her knees, improved her blood sugar, and lowered her cholesterol. But not everyone was thrilled. One person on X (formerly Twitter) called it “disgusting” to see a legend “pushing weight loss drugs”. Someone else joked, “We’re cooked; the greatest tennis player of all time is on Ozempic.” And plenty of others just seemed confused.

Serena hasn’t played since her emotional exit at the 2022 US Open. Back then, she avoided the word “retirement” and said she was “evolving” away from tennis.

When athletes want to come back, they have to let officials know where they are—even when they’re not at events—so they can be tested. Serena’s been out since the third round of the 2022 US Open.

Her older sister, Venus, actually returned to play just last month at the Australian Open at age 45. Venus never officially retired, but she spent nearly a year and a half away from the tour before coming back last July. At the US Open, Venus became the oldest singles player at the tournament since 1981.

When Venus made her return, she talked about how much she missed having Serena alongside her. The sisters won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles together. “The only thing that would make this better is if she were here,” Venus said. “We always did everything together, so of course I miss her. But if she comes back, I’m sure she’ll let y’all know.”

THE "NEW 2" TRICK: WHAT CARLOS ALCARAZ AND JANNIK SINNER PICKED UP FROM STUDYING FEDERER’S LATE CAREER

Jim Courier claims Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner could go head-to-head with the Big 4. Read the full tactical analysis here.

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Alcaraz and Sinner Learned to Attack from Every Corner of the Court

Jim Courier doesn’t see any real flaws in Jannik Sinner or Carlos Alcaraz. In fact, he’s convinced these two could have gone toe-to-toe with the legendary ‘Big 4’.

Right now, Alcaraz is the world No. 1, Sinner sits just behind him at No. 2, and they’ve basically taken over men’s tennis. Nobody else is even close in the ATP Rankings.

Between them, they’ve snagged the last nine Grand Slam singles trophies. If they win just two more, they’ll match Federer and Nadal’s record of 11 straight majors as a duo.

Alcaraz already has seven Grand Slam singles titles and has racked up 58 weeks (and counting) as world No. 1. He just completed the Career Grand Slam after his win at the Australian Open.

Sinner spent 66 weeks at the top himself and owns four Grand Slam titles. He’s got a shot to complete his own career Grand Slam at the French Open this spring.

These two have jumped straight into the spotlight after the era of Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, and Murray—the ‘Big 4’ who once ruled the sport.

On the Tennis Insider Club podcast, Courier called Sinner and Alcaraz the ‘New 2’ and said they’d absolutely have been able to challenge those legends.

“Look at the last year and a half—they’ve won everything,” Courier said. “They can handle any surface, they’re both young, and they move like nobody else.”

He added, “Honestly, I think they would’ve gone head-to-head with the Big Four. They probably studied those guys and picked up all their tricks. Jannik’s game and movement remind me a lot of Novak. Carlos? He’s just unique. He’s taken the best bits from everyone.”

Right now, Alcaraz and Sinner are way ahead of the rest of the ATP field. Even 38-year-old Djokovic is probably the only one who looks like he could give them trouble.

People keep asking when someone else from their generation will finally catch up. Names like Ben Shelton, Jack Draper, and Joao Fonseca get thrown around as future contenders, but honestly, nobody’s really come close. The gap’s only getting wider.

Courier went on to say that what sets Sinner and Alcaraz apart is their total lack of weaknesses.

“There was a time when top players had holes in their games. Not anymore. Sinner and Alcaraz? No weak spots,” he said.

“That changes everything. Technique matters more than ever. The game’s so fast now, you have to attack from everywhere. That’s pretty new.

“Even Rafa eventually erased his weaknesses. Roger switched rackets late in his career, and suddenly his backhand turned into a weapon—especially against Rafa.

“In my day, even Pete Sampras had a safe side to attack—his backhand. But with these guys, there’s nowhere to hide. You’re never comfortable.”

After their runs at the Australian Open, both Alcaraz and Sinner are set to play again at the Qatar Open next week.

EMMA RADUCANU RETIRES: BRITISH STAR WITHDRAWS FROM QATAR OPEN FOLLOWING BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK

Emma Raducanu’s Qatar Open debut ends in heartbreak. Discover why the British No. 1 retired after a mid-match medical timeout.

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Emma Raducanu’s Brutal WTA Schedule Is Finally Catching Up With Her Health

Emma Raducanu had to retire from her opening match at the Qatar Open because she was feeling unwell and needed her blood pressure checked right there on the court.

She’d hoped to bounce back after losing her first final since 2021 just two days earlier, squaring off against Camila Osorio. Raducanu started strong—she came out fast, grabbed the first set 6-2 in just 37 minutes, and really looked in control. But her energy started to fade, and Osorio took advantage in the second set. Raducanu’s serve slipped midway through, and Osorio pulled out a 6-4 win, pushing the match into a decider.

Before the third set, Raducanu took a long bathroom break, but it didn’t help much. She lost her serve right away, called for the physio, and had her blood pressure checked—something she’s needed before. She got through one more Osorio service game, but it was an easy hold for the Colombian. After that, Raducanu walked to the net, head down, and her Qatar Open was over. The score read 2-6, 6-4, 2-0 to Osorio.

It’s been a tough stretch. Just two days earlier, Raducanu lost in the Transylvania Open final to Sorana Cirstea, 6-0, 6-2, after a gruelling three-hour semifinal win. She told BBC Sport afterward that she’d been fighting a chest infection and just felt wiped out from the start. Still, she said she’d rather be in the final—even tired—than not have played at all.

This marks the ninth time Raducanu’s had to retire from a WTA Tour match. The last time was only four months ago, in Wuhan. Even so, she’d been showing better endurance lately. She’s made some changes behind the scenes as well, bringing in Emma Stewart, formerly of British Rowing, to replace her fitness trainer, Yutaka Nakamura. She also split with coach Francisco Roig, who used to work with Rafael Nadal, back in January.

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