Savannah Guthrie's Tense 'Today' Show Interview with Serena Williams Over Comeback Speculation
Savannah Guthrie experienced a distinctly awkward moment during Wednesday's episode of NBC's Today show while interviewing tennis icon Serena Williams. The uncomfortable exchange centred on persistent rumours about a potential return to professional tennis for Williams, who officially retired from the sport in 2022.
An Uncomfortable Question About Retirement and Drug Testing
The interview took an immediate turn when Guthrie referenced a recent report from The Athletic which indicated Williams's name had reappeared on the International Tennis Integrity Agency's registered testing pool. This is typically viewed as a procedural step for active competitors. "Recently—tell me if I have this right—you reentered the drug testing pool, which some see as the precursor to a return to tennis," Guthrie posed to her guest. "So you know I have to ask, are you returning to professional tennis?"
Williams responded with visible surprise, questioning the line of inquiry. "I mean, really? Are you asking this on the Today show? Oh my gosh," she replied. A back-and-forth ensued, with Guthrie pressing for a clear answer and Williams deftly avoiding a direct response. "Is that a no?" Guthrie asked as Williams repeated the question back to her, prompting laughter from the studio crew.
Williams's Evasive Answers and Guthrie's Persistent Prodding
After the initial laughter subsided, Williams offered some insight into her current mindset, stating, "I'm just having fun and enjoying my life right now." Guthrie interpreted this ambiguous statement as "not a yes or a no." When Williams added, "I'm just gonna see what happens," Guthrie quickly interjected, "That's a 'maybe' to me!"—a comment which Williams promptly shut down.
Guthrie reminded Williams that she had already publicly addressed the rumours last month on social media platform X. At that time, Williams posted, "Omg yall I'm NOT coming back. This wildfire is crazy," though she did not confirm or deny her presence on the testing list. "OK, but you did reenter," Guthrie prodded during the interview, to which Williams replied that she "couldn't discuss this."
The Climax: Guthrie Asks if Williams is 'Mad at Her'
Undeterred, Guthrie made one final attempt to extract a definitive statement. "OK, I'm just saying if I wanted to put it to bed, this would be a good moment. To put the retirement rumours to bed," she said. Williams offered a humorous deflection in response: "I want to go to bed. It's early."
The segment concluded with Guthrie directly asking the 23-time Grand Slam champion if she was "mad" at her for the persistent questioning. Williams was seen on camera saying "No," bringing the awkward interview to a close.
The Legacy of a Tennis Legend
Serena Williams concluded a monumental career in 2022, leaving behind an unparalleled legacy. Her trophy cabinet includes:
- Seven Wimbledon singles titles
- Seven Australian Open championships
- Six US Open victories
- Three French Open crowns
- Four Olympic gold medals
Together with her sister Venus, Serena Williams dominated women's tennis for much of the past quarter-century, cementing her status as one of the greatest athletes of all time. The interview on Today highlights the intense public and media fascination with any hint of a comeback from such an iconic figure.
