Serena Williams struggles with nerves in Wimbledon defeat to Maya Joint
Yahoo Sports • 1 min read • Latest: Jul 4, 2026, 6:35 PM
Last updated Jul 4, 2026
Serena Williams faced Maya Joint at Wimbledon in her first singles match in nearly four years, ultimately losing 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3. Coach Rennae Stubbs indicated Williams took time to settle her nerves during the match. Williams reported a knee injury towards the end of the first set and had to withdraw from her doubles match. She shared updates about draining fluid from her knee, expressing hopes of returning to play soon, particularly with the U.S. Open approaching. Despite the loss, Williams received positive reactions from fellow players and set ratings records on ESPN.
- •Williams lost to 20-year-old Maya Joint in three sets.
- •The match was her first singles appearance since 2022.
- •Williams suffered a knee injury in the first set.
- •She withdrew from her doubles match due to the injury.
- •Williams is considering future play ahead of the U.S. Open.
- 6:35 PMYahoo Sports — Serena Williams' coach tells AP nerves and a closed roof were factors in Wimbledon loss
"Looking back, it seems perfectly understandable that it took Serena Williams some time to settle her nerves in her first singles match in nearly four years. Rennae Stubbs, one of Williams' coaches, pin-pointed a moment about an hour into the 44-year-old's defeat to an opponent less than half her age earlier this week at Wimbledon. “I noticed in the middle of the second set her take a big sort of deep breath and I actually turned around to Venus and said, ‘Oh I think she just relaxed,’” Stubbs said, referring to Serena's older sister.
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