Stay up to date with notifications from The IndependentNotifications can be managed in browser preferences.Jump to contentThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged inAllNewsSportCultureLifestyleWilliams was defeated by 20-year-old Maya Joint in a three-set thriller (REUTERS/Andrew Couldridge )Serena Williams, aged 44, made her return to Wimbledon after a four-year absence, competing in an engrossing match on Centre Court. Williams was defeated by 20-year-old Maya Joint in a three-set thriller, with the final score being 3-6 7-6(6) 3-6 after two hours and 22 minutes. Despite the loss, Williams displayed her trademark grit, tenacity, and flashes of her powerful serve and returns, proving she remains competitive. Maya Joint, who grew up idolising Williams, overcame early nerves to play aggressively, dictating rallies and capitalising on Williams' errors, particularly in the first and third sets. The match, which kept Centre Court engrossed, demonstrated that Williams still possesses the desire to compete at the highest level, suggesting her comeback has reignited her passion for the sport. In fullSerena Williams’ Wimbledon comeback ends in defeat in three-set thrillerThank you for registeringPlease refresh the page or navigate to another page on the site to be automatically logged inPlease refresh your browser to be logged in

Willams stint at The All-England Club was cut short after a first round exit at Wimbledon 2026.

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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

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Follow along live as Serena Williams makes her singles comeback vs. Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon.

Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Tuesday for her first singles match in nearly four years, facing 20-year-old Maya Joint in the first round after receiving…

Serena Williams lost in her return to singles tennis 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 against Maya Joint of Australia in a thrilling match in front of an at times raucous crowd on Wimbledon’s…

Serena Williams lost 3-6 7-6(6) 3-6 to 20-year-old Maya Joint in an engrossing encounter on Centre Court

The 44-year-old fell to 20-year-old Maya Joint in a respectable showing after nearly four years away from major competition.

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Australian Maya Joint has put an end to Serena Williams comeback before it really began, defeating the 23-time champion in the opening round at Wimbledon.

Serena Williams' highly anticipated singles return at Wimbledon ends in defeat after four years away. Read about her valiant effort and future plans.

The 44-year-old pushed the match to a deciding set lasting two hours.

Williams, 44, lit up Centre Court once again, but Maya Joint, 20, stayed level-headed and used her greater match-readiness to win.

Serena Williams, 44, went down with honor in her return to Wimbledon, against Australia’s Maya Joint, who defeated her 6-3, (6)6-7, 6-3.

Serena Williams is defeated in three sets by Australian young gun Maya Joint at Wimbledon.

The American was beaten 3-6, 7-6 (6), 6-3 on Centre Court, with Joint fighting off a second-set rally to close out a thrilling match

Serena Williams was beaten by 20-year-old Maya Joint in her first professional singles match in nearly four years in the opening round of Wimbledon.