Williams edged by Joint in epic three‑setter on singles return
Serena Williams stepped onto Wimbledon's Centre Court, closed her eyes, took a deep breath, and smiled at the standing ovation she received.
Williams has consistently stated she has nothing left to prove as she resumes her tennis career, which she had stepped away from in 2022.
However, uncertainty surrounded her performance on Tuesday evening when she faced Australia's Maya Joint in her first singles match in four years at the age of 44.
Williams likely experienced a moment of relief upon winning her first point at SW19 in 1,462 days—a forced error from Joint in response to a powerful return of serve from the American.
The match concluded with a 6-3, 6-7 (6-8), 6-3 victory for Joint, who started strongly, endured a dip in the second set, and impressively recovered from a break down in the third.
The competitive spirit that led Williams to 23 Grand Slam titles suggests she will not be content with the result. She has often expressed that she hates losing more than she loves winning.
This was not a display of vintage Williams. Her performance improved as the match progressed before fading in the third set. Nonetheless, there were glimpses of the player who dominated the WTA Tour for over two decades.
"I was a bit cynical and very curious about what was going to happen in this match," former Wimbledon champion Pat Cash said on BBC Radio 5 Live. "What we saw is two people playing very good tennis and Maya being able to handle the pace of Serena. Serena played an incredible level. If she wants to play this way and play some more tennis, she is going to be a real handful. Serena played better now than she did at the end [of her career] four years ago."
How did Williams play?
Williams may have downplayed the significance of winning in her comeback, but it quickly became clear she was feeling the pressure.
Known for her powerful groundstrokes and devastating serve, neither shot consistently found its mark during a tense first set, in which she recorded only five winners and two aces.
"Something Williams' coaching team have been trying to point out to her is her breathing," former British number one Laura Robson said on BBC TV. "At times, especially in the first set, it looked like she wanted it so bad that she was almost forgetting to release into the shot."
There were moments of brilliance, with several serves exceeding 120mph, but Williams' movement appeared labored, and she often conceded points without attempting to reach the ball.
"There were some points that didn't have the conviction she has always naturally had. It looked like she was pulling back at times," Robson added.
Williams, determined to compete, improved notably in the second set, forcing more errors from Joint, increasing her first serve percentage to 63%, and more than tripling her winner count to 17.
When it mattered most, Williams elevated her game, using her powerful serve to save a match point and push the contest to a deciding set.
However, fatigue soon affected her as she struggled to maintain the pace, while Joint fired 15 winners compared to Williams' four.
"She was a little unlucky to come up against such a bright talent in Joint who lived up to it, and almost outplayed her at the back of the court and was so mentally strong," former British number one Annabel Croft said on BBC Radio 5 Live.
What next?
Williams had been practicing intensively in preparation for her return, but there is no substitute for match play experience. Prior to this singles match, she had only participated in two doubles matches.
She will require additional matches to regain her singles form, especially on hard courts against opponents who hit the ball flat and hard.
Williams' movement was exposed by Joint, with the American often off balance or stationary as shots passed her.
The next major tournament is the US Open—her home Grand Slam and the venue of what was presumed to be her final singles appearance in 2022.
Four years ago in New York, Williams defeated then-world number two Anett Kontaveit on an electrifying night at Arthur Ashe Stadium. All three of her matches attracted packed, star-studded crowds—an achievement few players can match.
"If that is the level of your first match back, imagine if she plays a bit more," Croft added. "I guess the factor will be if her body can stand up to it and how is she going to feel tomorrow. I'm looking at her today and thinking 'how on earth did we doubt that she wasn't sure if she was going to come back to playing singles?'"
