Particle.news
Download on the App Store

Roddick Calls Serena Williams’ Anti-Doping Reentry ‘Significant’ as Comeback Talk Persists

Under ITIA rules, rejoining the testing pool only enables a potential return after six months of availability.

Overview

  • Andy Roddick said Williams’ move back into doping protocols is meaningful because athletes do so to keep the option of returning.
  • Serena Williams pushed back on the speculation, posting that she is “NOT coming back” and calling the chatter a “wildfire.”
  • The ITIA specifies that players must be available for no-notice, out-of-competition testing for at least six months before entering sanctioned events.
  • Former coach Patrick Mouratoglou said she would only consider playing again if she believed she could compete with the best, adding she appears in “super shape.”
  • Ex-world No. 5 Anna Chakvetadze said Williams could still look dangerous in single marquee matches but questioned the grind of full tournaments, as Lewis Hamilton voiced his hope she returns.