Serena Williams is making a sensational return to tennis at Wimbledon 2026 after impressing fans with her body transformation. The 23-time Grand Slam winner, now 44, last played a professional singles match at the 2022 US Open, where she lost a three-set thriller to Ajla Tomljanovic. She gave an emotional goodbye to fans at Flushing Meadows and subsequently gave birth to her second child, Adira River, with husband Alexis Ohanian in August 2023.
Reinstatement into Drug Testing Pool
Williams submitted documentation for a dramatic return last year, leading to her reinstatement into the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) drug testing pool. Her name appeared on a document released by the ITIA on October 6. However, she initially denied a comeback, writing on social media: "I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy." Williams never officially retired, instead calling her time away an "evolution." ITIA spokesman Adrian Bassett told The Athletic: "She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool. I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option."
Return to Competition
Six months after her denial, Williams confirmed her return by accepting a doubles wildcard at Queen's Club with Victoria Mboko. They won their opening match but withdrew after their partner suffered a knee injury. She then partnered Karolina Muchova in doubles at the Berlin Open, losing in the first round. Williams has since entered the Wimbledon doubles draw with sister Venus Williams and accepted a singles wildcard, facing Maya Joint in the opening round.
Body Transformation and Weight-Loss Medication
Williams debuted a strikingly leaner physique in July last year, showcasing a sculpted frame with defined abs. In a Vogue interview, she revealed using GLP-1 weight-loss medication through Ro, a consumer healthcare company. Despite training five hours daily—running, walking, biking, and stair climbing—she struggled to lose weight and felt compelled to "try something different." Her Instagram caption read: "Working out and working on my angles."
Motivation and Future
Williams admitted missing professional competition. In April 2025, she told Time Magazine: "I miss it a lot, with all my heart. I miss it because I'm healthy. If I couldn't walk, or if I was so out of it, I wouldn't miss it as much." Her Wimbledon return marks her first appearance at the tournament since 2022.
