Maya Joint defeated Serena Williams 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 on Centre Court on Tuesday, boosting her WTA ranking in the biggest win of her young tennis career.
The 20-year-old Australian outlasted the seven-time Wimbledon champion in Williams' first singles match in nearly four years.
Maya Joint Stuns Williams in Historic Wimbledon 2026 First-Round Clash
Maya Joint, currently No. 87 in the WTA rankings, fired 40 winners and saved eight break points to hold off the 23-time Grand Slam winner. Williams nearly forced a classic comeback after saving a match point in the second-set tiebreaker, but Joint regrouped in the decider. She broke Williams twice in the third set to close it out.
Still, the moment carried more weight than the scoreline.
Joint grew up idolizing Williams and modeled her aggressive style after the legend. Despite nerves that kept her awake until 2 AM the night before, she delivered under the pressure of a sold-out crowd.
"Stepping out on court with Serena was something I never thought I'd get to do," Joint said. "I don't think I have quite processed it yet."
Joint now advances to face Alexandra Eala in the second round on Thursday. Williams, meanwhile, remains at the All England Club for doubles alongside her sister, Venus.
