Serena Williams last played at the 2022 US Open, saying she was “evolving away” from tennis without ever confirming retirement. Her December 2025 return to the drug-testing pool reignited comeback buzz, but silence followed. That uncertainty resurfaced on camera, turning an innocent question into an awkward, telling moment about an icon still between eras.

During a live interview on the Today show on Wednesday, Jan. 28, Serena Williams spoke with Savannah Guthrie. The conversation turned tense when Guthrie brought up rumors about a possible return to tennis.

“Recently, tell me if I have this right, you re-entered the drug testing pool, which some see as the precursor to a return to tennis,” Guthrie said. “So you know I have to ask, are you returning to professional tennis?”

Williams laughed and dodged the question.

“I mean, really? Are you asking this on the Today show? Oh my gosh,” she was amused but noncommittal.

Guthrie pressed again: “Is that a no?”

Williams echoed, “Is that a no?”

Off camera, a man laughed.

Williams responded, “All the people on your set that are laughing. This is distracting. You’re distracting us over there.”

Later, Savannah Guthrie followed up again.

“Okay, but you didn’t say yes or no!” 

Williams laughed and stayed relaxed.

“I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” she kept her answer light and open.

Guthrie noted that it was still unclear. She pointed out it was “not a yes or a no.”

Williams replied calmly, “I’m just gonna see what happens.”

Guthrie jumped in again. “That’s a ‘maybe’ to me!”

Williams pushed back immediately, saying, “That’s not a maybe.”

Williams then spoke about her personal life. She shares daughters Olympia, 8, and Adira, 2, with her husband Alexis Ohanian. She pointed out that she is a “full-time, stay-at-home” mom and recently listed her occupation as “housewife.”

Still, Guthrie returned to the topic.

“Okay, but you did re-enter.”

“Did I re-enter? I don’t know if I was out,” Serena Williams responded before adding, “Listen, I can’t discuss this.”

Guthrie suggested this was a chance to end the rumors: “Okay, I’m just saying if I wanted to put it to bed, this would be a good moment. To put the retirement rumors to bed.”

“I want to go to bed. It’s early,” the tennis legend joked.

The exchange ended awkwardly. Williams called Guthrie “funny.” Guthrie asked if Williams was “mad.” After back-and-forth questions, Williams answered, “No!”

Despite the speculation after re-entering the drug testing pool, Williams denied the chatter online.

She wrote on X, “Omg y’all I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy-,” 

Even now, without a direct answer, the comeback talk continues, including comments from her sister Venus Williams.

Venus Williams hopes Serena Williams returns from retirement

Just before her comeback at the Citi DC Open last year, Venus Williams appeared relaxed and cheerful, speaking about being back on court.

Venus smiled and laughed often during the tournament. Still, she admitted something was missing. Her happiness would have been greater if her younger sister Serena had been there.

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“I keep saying to my team: The only thing that would make this better is if she was here. Like, we always did everything together, so of course I miss her.” 

Venus also made it clear she avoids pressing Serena about her future and respects her space: “I don’t know what she’s going to do. I don’t ask those questions.” 

Speculation grew later when Serena quietly re-entered the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s registered testing pool late last year. That move did not go unnoticed in the tennis world.

Former world No. 1 Jim Courier shared strong views on the situation. Speaking to 9News at the Australian Open this year, he suggested the decision carried serious meaning.

“You have an app, it’s called the Whereabouts program. So you give one hour a day when you have to be there,” Courier explained, outlining the demands placed on players.

“It’s a huge hassle. The players all moan and groan about it … and if you miss three tests during the course of 12 months, that’s the same as failing a drug test,” he continued.

Courier then made his point clear. “So no person that doesn’t have intentions to play professional tennis is going to put themselves in that list, especially someone who has as much experience doing it as Serena Williams.” 

ITIA spokesperson Adrian Bassett addressed the matter. “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool,” he added, “I do not know if this means she is coming back, or just giving herself the option. All I can say is she’s back in the pool and therefore subject to whereabouts.”

With no direct answer from Serena, the tennis world now waits to see if the icon returns to the court once more.