Serena Williams has been left off this year's International Tennis Hall of Fame ballot following her return to competitive tennis. The 23-time Grand Slam champion had stepped away from the sport at the 2022 US Open, but re-entered the anti-doping pool late last year and returned to action at London's Queen's Club this summer.
Return to Tennis Delays Eligibility
Since her comeback, Williams has played several doubles matches and lost a close three-set singles match to Maya Joint at Wimbledon. It remains unclear whether she will continue competing into 2027.
The International Tennis Hall of Fame states that a player cannot have been a 'significant factor' on the tour for at least five years before being inducted. Because Williams returned this year, she may have to wait until at least 2031 to be considered, potentially longer if she keeps playing.
Roddick Criticises Hall of Fame Rules
Former world No. 1 Andy Roddick has criticised the regulations, calling it outrageous to delay recognising Williams' achievements. On his podcast, Served, he said: "I know it's supposed to reset the clock. Are we saying that if she plays another year, we're going to wait for Serena to get into the Hall of Fame? Let's say she plays through next year. So we're going to wait until 2033 when Serena is like 50 to put her into the Hall of Fame? Bulls***."
Roddick added: "The 2031 is if she played her last match right now. She says she's playing next year. Let's assume we take her at her word, and so it restarts then. No way. The Hall of Fame is one of the most special places on earth. You have to go. Go to an induction, see what it means to these players."
Voting and 2027 Ballot
Players shortlisted for the Hall of Fame ballot must receive at least 75 per cent of the vote to be inducted. Roddick said: "If you get a unanimous yes, I don't care how long you've been retired. Who would have actually cared if Serena came back right now and was already in the Hall of Fame? Who would say, 'That's wrong, that doesn't make any sense'. No one!"
The 2027 ballot features Ash Barty, Juan Martin del Potro, and Svetlana Kuznetsova. Roger Federer, who appeared on last year's ballot, was inducted at a ceremony in Newport this summer. Federer retired at the 2022 Laver Cup after playing a final doubles match with Rafael Nadal, having not been a significant factor on tour since 2021, when he lost in the Wimbledon quarter-finals and underwent a third knee surgery.
