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 replied, clearly amused but noncommittal.

Guthrie pressed again, asking, “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!” she said. The question kept the moment tense.

Williams laughed and stayed relaxed. She finally said, “I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now,” keeping 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!” she said. 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 said she is a “full-time, stay-at-home” mom and recently listed her occupation as “housewife.”

Guthrie returned to the main topic. “Okay, but you did re-enter,” she said. Williams responded, “Did I re-enter? I don’t know if I was out,” before adding, “Listen, I can’t discuss this.”

Guthrie suggested this was a chance to end the rumors. She said, “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.” Williams joked back, “I want to go to bed. It’s early.”

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

Despite the speculation after re-entering the drug testing pool, Williams later 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 while 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 said, speaking honestly about their bond.

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

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,” he said.

Curiosity increased when Serena’s name appeared on the ITIA’s updated list dated October 6. The listing sparked renewed debate about her intentions.

ITIA spokesperson Adrian Bassett addressed the matter. “She has notified us that she wants to be reinstated into the testing pool,” he said, adding later, “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.