Injury Bitters Serena Williams' Return at Wimbledon

Pedro de Pablos | 30 Jun 2026 | 20.45

Joint sours Serena Williams' return at Wimbledon, Source: Getty Images.

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Maya Joint has dressed up as a villain to sour the return of Serena Williams to individual competition at Wimbledon 2026 after nearly 4 years of inactivity. The GOAT of women's tennis faced the challenge and even flirted with the epic, but ended up falling short with a score of 6-4 6-7(6) and 6-3 after 2 hours and 22 minutes of play.

The first thing to praise is Serena's determination and resilience, who despite trailing throughout the second set kept on fighting at 44 years old and after a long period without playing. There's a reason she's the queen of the WTA circuit, giving meaning to those words she stated a few days ago that she didn't come back for a walk. Once she gets into rhythm, she can be a threat, although mobility will be her weak point, as expected. On the other hand, Joint handled the pressure of such a match and will face Alexandra Eala in the second round.

Serena Williams' major handicap on her return

The match started with both players strong on serve. Serena kept firing aces with both her first and second serves, and her groundstrokes were powerful, but it was also clear that she had a disadvantage in movement. As the point extended, she was at a disadvantage, understandably after 4 years of inactivity. However, it was Williams who had the first break points at 2-2, but she failed to convert them.

Joint, on the other hand, seized the opportunity at 4-3. Serena saved the first one with a cry to the sky, but on the second chance, the Australian forced Williams' error to lead 5-3 with the serve. Still, the GOAT was delivering trademark points, showing competitiveness and putting up a noteworthy fight. However, Maya didn't hesitate to close it out, saved a 40-40 tie and ended the first set with a cross-court forehand.

The second set didn't start much better for Serena, as Joint secured an early break that forced the American to achieve an epic on Wimbledon's Centre Court. Williams had a break point on the next serve, but many of her shots ended up in the net from the baseline, a costly error at this level. She even had another two break opportunities in the following return game, but once again failed. 0 out of 5.

Serena Williams pulls off the epic for a third set

Nevertheless, perseverance pays off... and Serena had another break point at 2-3 after hitting an incredible passing shot on the run, and this time she succeeded with a trademark backhand. Her mobility wasn't at its best, but she was reading Joint's shots better and controlling more from the baseline. However, just after achieving the reward she had been fighting for all match, a harsh blow came as she made several consecutive errors and was broken again.

At that moment, when all seemed lost, Serena unleashed her best shots and continued the break festival by breaking Maya again and leveling the score at 4-4. Both held serve in the next two games, but at 5-5 Serena had to face a 0-40. Yet, this time she saved all three break points, and even another one that seemed nearly lost. That led to the tiebreak, which extended the equality to 5-5 and Joint serving. Serena went for a backhand return and missed, but with match point against her, she served down the T and closed with a forehand. Another big serve gave her a set point, forcing Joint's error on return to push the match into the decider. The Centre Court went wild.

Joint fights back and Serena falls short

In the third set, Serena Williams appeared much looser and more precise with her shots. Incredible, considering the match had gone past an hour and a half and, at 44 years old, she had been inactive for so long. However, in these situations, the heart overcomes the body, and that's what she did, getting the break to lead 2-1 and serve right at the start. Nonetheless, Joint had something to say, and just like Serena did in the second set, she quickly broke back to level the score.

From that moment on, Serena faltered and missed more than needed, perhaps a result of fatigue that hadn't shown up until then, and once again, the Australian player achieved her second consecutive break to go up 4-2 and serving. Serena didn't give up, and there was even a hint of a comeback at 5-3 and on return, when Maya double-faulted on match point. However, she turned the situation around and closed it out with a score of 6-3. Hats off to her and hats off to Serena, who has returned at a high level despite everything.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Joint amarga el regreso de Serena Williams en Wimbledon

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