Serena Williams’s singles run was cut short yesterday. The 44-year-old tennis legend ceded a three-set first-round battle to world No. 87 Maya Joint on Wimbledon’s Centre Court.
Williams was vying to become the oldest player to win a Grand Slam singles match since 47-year-old Martina Navratilova in her 2024 Wimbledon campaign. However, she fell short in just her fourth-career first-round exit.
“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon,” Serena Williams said in a postmatch statement. “I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.”
Top-Ranked WTA Stars Score 1st-Round Wimbledon Wins
Elsewhere, big-name contenders rolled through the tournament’s opening slate. No. 8 Elina Svitolina suffered the only Top 10 upset.
No. 14 Naomi Osaka turned heads in her kimono-inspired dress before sailing through her first two matches. She made quick work of France’s Elsa Jacquemot and Russia’s Anastasia Gasanova to punch a third-round ticket.
No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka also advanced on Wednesday. No. 4 Jessica Pegula, No. 7 Coco Gauff, defending champion No. 3 Iga Świątek, and more look to follow suit as Wimbledon continues second-round play.
Wimbledon coverage runs through July 11th, live on ESPN.
