Serena Williams Wimbledon Comeback Ends at First Hurdle

The long-awaited return of Serena Williams sent chills through Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Tuesday evening. The seven-time singles champion was showered with applause as she stepped onto the hallowed grass, and received another standing ovation as she walked off.

In between, it was 20-year-old Maya Joint’s turn to shine, and the talented Australian made the most of her moment, handing the 23-time major champion a 6-4, 6-7(6), 6-3 defeat that brought Williams’ return to the Grand Slam stage to a premature end.

“I don’t know what just happened, to be honest,” Joint told the crowd. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, I was up until 2 AM just thinking about it.

“She has such an aura, she’s such a legend, and this court has so many huge names that have played on it — I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a little kid, so this is crazy.”

Joint, who entered Tuesday’s clash riding an 11-match tour-level losing streak, looked like a completely different player from the one who had struggled through a difficult campaign without a victory since early January.

The World No.87 immediately put 44-year-old Williams on the back foot and appeared completely unfazed by the magnitude of the occasion.

She drew first blood with a break for 5-3 and soon served out the opening set.

Joint struck first in the second set as well, but her early advantage only seemed to inspire Williams to tap into her vast reservoir of big-match experience and legendary competitive fire. As her strokes started to crystallize, Williams twice recovered from a break down before saving four break points to hold for 6-5.

In the ensuing tiebreak, vintage Williams arrived just in time. She uncorked a pair of booming serves—the first saved a match point, the second, a 122 mph missile down the T, earned her set point, which she converted moments later.

“She definitely lifted her level, and she played some really great tennis there,” Joint said.

The Hollywood script wasn’t meant to be

With her daughters, Olympia and Adira, cheering her on alongside sister Venus and the rest of her entourage, Williams grabbed an early break in the third set.

The adrenaline would prove short-lived, however, as the seven-time champion eventually tired. Joint, regrouping after multiple disappointments, stoically marched to the finish.

The Aussie claimed five of the final six games to secure the biggest win of her career. She improves to 3-7 at the majors and will face Filipina trailblazer Alexandra Eala in the second round.

“I just took advantage of the moment, and enjoyed it,” Joint said, when asked how she managed to play so well during such a difficult season.

Williams may be out of singles but her comeback is just beginning. She’ll take the court in the following days alongside Venus as the pair make a play for a seventh doubles title at the All England Club.

More to follow…