Serena Williams' Wimbledon comeback ends in first-round defeat to Maya Joint, 6-3, 6-7, 6-3

The return

Serena Williams stepped onto the Wimbledon grass for the first time since her US Open third-round exit in September 2022. The 44-year-old received a wild card from the All England Club, with an earlier warm-up appearance in doubles at Queen's Club cut short after partner Victoria Mboko withdrew injured. Her target was clear: a singles return at the tournament she has won seven times.

The Centre Court was packed well before the evening match began. The crowd welcomed its most decorated active champion with loud applause. Williams’s presence dominated the build-up, with organisers noting the highest first-round attendance on that court in recent memory.

The match

Maya Joint, born four years after Williams won her second Wimbledon title, took the initiative early. In the eighth game of the first set she broke Williams’s serve for a 5-3 lead and served out the set 6:3.

The second set began similarly. Joint broke immediately, held for 2-0 and later 3-1. But Williams, moving more freely, clawed back to 3-3 and then 4-4. A tense tenth game saw Williams save four break points before holding. In the tie-break Joint earned a match point at 6:5, but Williams saved it with a forehand at the net and won the next two points to take the set.

In the decider Williams broke early for 2-1, but errors multiplied. Joint raised her level and won four games in a row, racing to 5-2. Serving for the match in the ninth game she held her nerve, closing out the set 6-3 after 142 minutes.

Crowd reaction

Organisers described the stands as filled to capacity. Every winner from Williams drew roars. When she levelled the match, the applause was prolonged. Joint later said playing in that atmosphere was the highlight of her young career.

What's next

Williams remains in the ladies’ doubles draw, partnering her sister Venus. Joint advances to the second round, where she will face Alexandra Eala.