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.
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.”
INSIDE JANNIK SINNER’S HISTORIC INDIAN WELLS VICTORY AS FIRST ITALIAN MALE CHAMPION
Jannik Sinner makes history as the first Italian man to win Indian Wells, defeating Daniil Medvedev in two tiebreaks.
Jannik Sinner crushed Daniil Medvedev’s hopes at Indian Wells Sunday night. Medvedev looked sharp all week; he even took down Carlos Alcaraz to reach the final.
But when it came to the championship match, Sinner edged him out in two tense tiebreaks, 7-6, 7-6. Medvedev’s loss stings, but let’s be real: his level this week showed he’s back to fighting for big trophies after a pretty rough 2025.
He’s set a big goal for himself, too, with all the pressure that comes along with it. After the match, Medvedev, now 30, talked about whether he’s the one who can break up Alcaraz and Sinner’s grip at the top; he even admitted he slipped up a bit in the final.
On that note, it’s wild how Alcaraz and Sinner have ruled the ATP Tour lately. Between them, they’ve grabbed the last nine Grand Slam titles and barely given anyone else a chance. Still, Medvedev made things interesting at Indian Wells by beating Alcaraz and pushing Sinner to the edge.
In his post-match press conference, Medvedev shared his thoughts on his future and the big question: Can he really challenge Sinner and Alcaraz?
He said, “Honestly, it’s a pleasure to play Sinner and Alcaraz. Last year, I didn’t even get a shot; they were out of reach because I kept losing early. I’m glad this time I played well enough to beat the others first, took down Carlos, and then got to face Jannik.
My goal? Not to obsess over them, but to work on my own game, beat everyone else, and then, chances are, in Miami, I'm going to run into one of them in the semis or the final if I play out of my mind.”
He continued, “It’s tough to say if I’m the guy to challenge them, honestly. I’ve lost a bunch against them, and again today with Jannik. But I know I can play top-level tennis. Whoever I meet next, whether it’s Carlos, Jannik, or someone else, I’ll just try to play my best tennis. I proved I can do it again here, in Dubai, and in Brisbane.
On any given day, anyone can challenge them; look at Jakub beating Jannik in Doha or me beating Carlos here. So it’s not just me, not just Novak, not just Sascha. But it’s hard, and that’s why by the end of the season, those guys have sixty wins and only five or six losses, half of those losses coming against each other. It’s a tough mountain to climb, but you just keep trying.”
Now, Sinner, Alcaraz, and Medvedev head to the Miami Masters, which kicks off Tuesday. The last time around, Jakub Mensik won there; it’s the second Masters 1000 event of 2026.
Sinner made history on Sunday. No Italian man had ever won Indian Wells until he pulled it off. He now owns 25 ATP titles and is the youngest player to win all six ATP hard-court Masters events. Back in 1974, John Newcombe was the tournament’s first champ, beating Arthur Ashe in the final. Since then, Djokovic, Nadal, and Federer have all lifted the trophy. Federer and Djokovic sit at the top with five Indian Wells titles each.
ARYNA SABALENKA APPLAUDS ELINA SVITOLINA’S POST-PREGNANCY COMEBACK DURING INDIAN WELLS
Aryna Sabalenka reaches the Indian Wells final to face Elena Rybakina, while praising Elina Svitolina’s inspiring return.
Aryna Sabalenka had just made it to the Indian Wells final, set to face Elena Rybakina, though at the time of her press conference, the match-up wasn’t official yet.
Reporters asked her thoughts on both possible opponents, and she didn’t hold back on her respect for each. Sabalenka had a lot of praise for both semi-finalists, but especially for Elina Svitolina.
Pretty much everyone expected Rybakina to make it through, and that’s what happened. Still, Sabalenka made it clear how much she admired Svitolina, even though Svitolina didn’t make the final.
Here’s what Sabalenka had to say about Svitolina’s comeback:
“She’s an incredible player. Honestly, seeing the level she’s brought to the court after her pregnancy is so inspiring; it's really cool to watch. Every match we’ve played has been a tough battle. Always a show, always top level. If it had been Elina, I would’ve been just as excited. I know with her it’s always a real fight, always entertaining. I’m super excited either way.”
Sabalenka beat Svitolina at this year’s Australian Open but then lost the final to Rybakina. There’s no question Sabalenka wants to set the record straight against Rybakina at Indian Wells.
Getting to this final hasn’t exactly been a breeze, either. While her showdown with Rybakina is probably her toughest challenge yet, Sabalenka already battled through a stacked field just to get here without dropping a single set, no less.
She started fast, rolling past Himeno Sakatsume and Jaqueline Cristian. Then came Naomi Osaka in the Round of 16, a match many thought would be tight, but Sabalenka kept control and won solidly.
Victoria Mboko gave her a fight in their quarter-final’s opening set, but Sabalenka pulled away again in the tiebreak. She kept that momentum going against Linda Nosková in the semi-final, not giving her an inch.
Now, it’s down to Rybakina to try and stop Sabalenka, who’s looked almost unstoppable in the California desert so far.
