JUST IN: Serena Williams Explains Why She Kept Her Distance from Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl—and It Has Nothing to Do with Bad Blood

Serena Williams Reveals Why She Didn’t Try to Interact with Taylor Swift at the Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is no stranger to celebrity sightings, but one quiet non-interaction this year has had fans buzzing: Serena Williams and Taylor Swift were both in attendance—seated just sections apart—yet made no public acknowledgment of one another. Now, Serena is shedding light on why.

In a recent interview, the tennis legend addressed the curiosity head-on, revealing that she intentionally chose not to approach or engage with the pop superstar during the game, despite knowing she was nearby.

“It wasn’t anything personal,” Serena explained. “I’m a big fan of Taylor, but she was clearly there to support [boyfriend and Chiefs tight end] Travis [Kelce], and I didn’t want to interrupt her experience or draw unnecessary attention.”

The 23-time Grand Slam champion said she understands what it’s like to be in the spotlight and values giving others their space—especially during major public events. “Sometimes, when you’re in that kind of environment, the last thing you want is more chaos,” she said. “And let’s be honest, if we were seen talking, people would’ve made it a whole thing.”

Serena’s comments come after social media lit up with speculation about why the two global icons didn’t interact. Fans noted their presence at the same game and couldn’t help but wonder if something was amiss. Some even went as far as to suggest there might be tension—rumors Serena quickly dismissed.

“There’s no drama. I respect her a lot,” she said. “I just wanted to let her enjoy her moment.”

Both Serena and Taylor are no strangers to media frenzy. With Swift’s relationship with Kelce dominating headlines and Serena continuing to make waves post-retirement with fashion, business, and media ventures, a photo or video of the two chatting could have easily stolen the spotlight from the game itself.

“I’m sure we’ll cross paths again,” Serena added with a smile. “But that day was about football, and I just stayed in my lane.”

The internet may have hoped for a viral moment between two of the world’s biggest stars, but Serena’s choice proves that even celebrities can choose boundaries over buzz.