Serena Williams’ singles comeback at Wimbledon was brief as 20-year-old Maya Joint recorded a 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 triumph over the 44-year-old in Tuesday’s first-round match on Centre Court at the All England Club in London.
It was Williams’ first match at Wimbledon since losing to Harmony Tan of France in the first round in 2022.
The No. 87-ranked Joint, who was born in the United States and moved to Australia in 2023, had a 40-26 edge in winners and a 10-7 advantage in service aces.
Joint got the match-winning point when Williams hit a return long. The handshake at the net was quick.
“I didn’t get much sleep last night,” Joint said of facing one of her idols. “I was up until like 2 a.m. thinking about it. I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a little kid, so this is pretty crazy.”
Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, received a rousing ovation while leaving the court.
However, Williams declined to meet with reporters afterward. She instead released a statement.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Williams said in the statement released through tournament organizers. “I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.”
Joint ended an 11-match WTA singles losing streak by taking down Williams.
“My last couple matches have been pretty good,” Joint said. “I just took advantage of the moment, enjoyed it. Didn’t really think about the previous matches.”
Both players committed 37 unforced errors.
Williams, who has won 23 major titles, said this week she intends to continue training with the intention of playing at the U.S. Open. She and sister Venus are playing doubles together at Wimbledon.
Joint will face No. 29 seeded Alexandra Eala of the Philippines in the second round.
The first set was tied at 3-3 before Joint won the next three games.
In the second set, Joint led 3-1 before Williams recovered to take a 6-5 lead. Joint then forced a tiebreaker and had a chance to win at 6-5 but Williams saved the match point to begin a stretch of three straight points to take the set.
Williams led 2-1 early in the third set before Joint looked noticeably fresher than the woman 24 years older. She won five of the final six games to close out the victory.
The Michigan-born Joint is playing in her eighth Grand Slam event and has never advanced past the second round. So beating Williams on famed Centre Court at Wimbledon certainly stands alone as her new career highlight — especially considering Williams had already won seven grand slam titles when Joint was born in April of 2006.
“She has such an aura, she is such a legend,” Joint said of Williams. “So many huge names have played on this court. I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a little kid, so this is pretty crazy.”
Williams is the second-oldest woman to play singles at Wimbledon in the Open era. Legendary Martina Navratilova (47 in 2004) is the oldest.
–Field Level Media
