Serena Williams has left the door open to a potential tennis comeback after delivering a series of evasive responses during an uncomfortable exchange on the Today Show.
The 44-year-old, who holds 23 grand slam titles, stepped away from competitive tennis following the 2022 US Open, famously describing her departure as “evolving away” from the sport rather than retiring.
Despite posting on X in December that she was definitively not returning, stating “Omg yall I’m NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy,” the American legend declined to shut down speculation when questioned directly during the television appearance, with her answers leaving viewers somewhat bewildered.
When pressed on whether she might return to the court, Williams expressed mock disbelief at being asked such questions.
“I mean, really, are you asking this on the Today Show? Oh, my goodness,” she responded.
Her subsequent answers offered little clarity.
“Is that a no? I’m just having fun and enjoying my life right now. That’s not a yes or no. I don’t know. I’m just gonna see what happens. That’s not a ‘maybe’,” Williams said.
Remember when my Bounces report about Serena Williams returning to tennis came out in December and Serena tweeted out a denial hours later?
Well, Serena did a whole lot less denying today on The Today Show… pic.twitter.com/9uoODBjrWz
— Ben Rothenberg (@BenRothenberg) January 29, 2026
The tennis icon also emphasised her current domestic focus.
“I have two kids. I’m a full time stay at home. When I filled out a form the other day. Occupation? Housewife,” she added.
When offered the opportunity to definitively end comeback speculation, Williams quipped: “I want to go to bed, it’s early.”
Five facts for tennis fans | GETTY/PA
Questions surrounding Williams’s status in the International Tennis Integrity Agency’s registered testing pool added further intrigue to the interview.
Speculation emerged in December that the former world No 1 had rejoined the ITIA’s testing programme, which all players must be enrolled in for a minimum of six months before they can compete professionally.
When asked directly whether she had re-entered the drug testing pool, Williams gave another cryptic response.
“Did I re-enter? I don’t know if I was out. Listen, I can’t discuss this,” she said.
The requirement for players to be registered with the testing agency well in advance of competition means any potential return would need considerable forward planning.
Serena Williams previously retired from tennis back in 2022
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Williams may have found motivation in watching her elder sister Venus compete at this month’s Australian Open, where the 45-year-old became the oldest woman to participate in the tournament before exiting in the first round.
Venus demonstrated her continued commitment to the sport last season by competing across all three formats at the US Open, reaching the women’s doubles quarter-finals alongside Leylah Fernandez.
There has been speculation that changes to the US Open mixed doubles format could prove enticing for Serena.
The event has been restructured to take place during the week preceding the singles competition, a move designed to attract more elite players to the draw.