Serena Williams loses to Maya Joint in Wimbledon first round
ESPN • 2 min read • Latest: Jun 30, 2026, 9:08 PM
Last updated Jun 30, 2026
Serena Williams faced 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round of Wimbledon on June 30 and was defeated in three sets, 3-6, 7-6(6), 3-6. After nearly four years away from competitive singles play, Williams showcased moments of her former prowess but ultimately succumbed to Joint's consistent performance. The match on Centre Court included a dramatic second set where Williams fought off a match point, but Joint secured victory in the final set. Following this loss, Williams is set to compete in doubles with her sister Venus Williams later in the tournament.
- •Williams played her first match back after nearly four years.
- •She battled Joint, saving a match point in the second set.
- •The match lasted two hours and 22 minutes.
- •Williams is scheduled to play doubles with Venus Williams on July 2.
- •Joint had previously lost her last 11 tour-level matches.
- 10:26 PMESPN — Serena falls in 3-set Wimbledon thriller in return...
- 10:09 PMYahoo Sports — How did Serena WIlliams do in her return to Wimbledon?
- 9:32 PMThe Guardian Sport — Serena Williams’ Wimbledon singles return ended in first round by Maya Joint
- 9:14 PMCBS Sports — Wimbledon 2026 results: Serena Williams falls to Maya Joint in first singles match in four years
- 9:08 PMYahoo Sports — Serena Williams' Wimbledon Comeback Falls Short with First-Round Loss to 20-Year-Old Maya Joint
- 9:03 PMYahoo Sports — Serena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback ends in defeat in three-set thriller
"Williams beaten 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 on Centre Court Joint fought off second-set rally to close out match Serena Williams walked up to the baseline down match point fully conscious of the fact that losing another point would be no tragedy. Four years since her last singles appearance as a professional tennis player, she had been competitive against a talented young player and she had fought hard for every point. However, Williams has always been so demanding of herself and old habits die hard. Serving down 5-6 in her second set tie‑break after losing the first set against Maya Joint, Williams unleashed the greatest weapon the sport has seen: after an excellent first serve allowed her to dispatch an easy forehand winner to save match point, she eviscerated a 122 miles per hour service winner straight down the middle and rode her momentum into a final set. Continue reading...
"Serena Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6) 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in her first professional singles match in nearly four years in the opening round of Wimbledon.
"Tennis legend Serena Williams fell to 20-year-old Maya Joint in a three-set match at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
Sources
External links- ESPNJun 30, 2026, 10:26 PMSerena falls in 3-set Wimbledon thriller in return...
Serena Williams was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6) 6-3 by 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia in her first professional singles match in nearly four years in the opening round of Wimbledon.
- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 10:09 PMHow did Serena WIlliams do in her return to Wimbledon?
Tennis legend Serena Williams fell to 20-year-old Maya Joint in a three-set match at Wimbledon on Tuesday.
- The Guardian SportJun 30, 2026, 9:32 PMSerena Williams’ Wimbledon singles return ended in first round by Maya Joint
Williams beaten 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 on Centre Court Joint fought off second-set rally to close out match Serena Williams walked up to the baseline down match point fully conscious of the fact that losing another point would be no tragedy. Four years since her last singles appearance as a professional tennis player, she had been competitive against a talented young player and she had fought hard for every point. However, Williams has always been so demanding of herself and old habits die hard. Serving down 5-6 in her second set tie‑break after losing the first set against Maya Joint, Williams unleashed the greatest weapon the sport has seen: after an excellent first serve allowed her to dispatch an easy forehand winner to save match point, she eviscerated a 122 miles per hour service winner straight down the middle and rode her momentum into a final set. Continue reading...
- CBS SportsJun 30, 2026, 9:14 PMWimbledon 2026 results: Serena Williams falls to Maya Joint in first singles match in four years
Williams didn't get the win in her return to singles action but put forth a valiant effort against Joint
- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 9:08 PMSerena Williams' Wimbledon Comeback Falls Short with First-Round Loss to 20-Year-Old Maya Joint
Williams fought off a match point in the second set, but couldn't close out Australia's Joint
- Yahoo SportsJun 30, 2026, 9:03 PMSerena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback ends in defeat in three-set thriller
Serena Williams lost 3-6 7-6(6) 3-6 to 20-year-old Maya Joint in an engrossing encounter on Centre Court
Original reporting and copyright belong to the linked sources. SportsNewsReport.com aggregates and links — it does not republish full articles.
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