How 'gruelling' doping protocols almost put Williams off comeback

Serena Williams is one short of Margaret Court's all-time women's record of 24 Grand Slam titles [Getty Images]Serena Williams says the "gruelling" nature of the anti-doping testing process almost stopped her from making a shock comeback to the sport which she once dominated.The 44-year-old American superstar returned in the Queen's doubles earlier this month before deciding to make a singles comeback at Wimbledon.The first sign the 23-time Grand Slam singles champion was seriously planning to play again after a four-year absence came when she rejoined the sport's anti-doping testing pool in December.

But mother-of-two Williams, speaking in a packed Wimbledon news conference on Sunday, says the protocols almost put her off."It's gruelling. That was a big reason why I didn't want to come back either, because it's just so hard," said Williams, who plays Australian world number 53 Maya Joint in the first round on Tuesday."

My life is busy, I run a [venture capital] company, I travel the world. I have children. It's like I could be in so many different cities so many different times."

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Every active player is subject to out-of-competition testing. But those in the testing pool - which is largely comprised of the top 100 singles, doubles and wheelchair players as well as returning athletes - must let the testers know where they will be for one hour of every single day.A player who misses three out of-competition tests in a 12-month period after being contacted by a tester is likely to be sanctioned.

Williams claimed there are "new rules" in place, but the ITIA says the protocols around whereabouts have not changed since she "evolved away" from tennis September 2024."It's unprofessional. I hate it.

I think it's necessary, but I think a lot