Serena Williams loses in three sets in her first Wimbledon match in 4 years: As it happened

Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon 2026 Round 1 Match Highlights: Serena Williams ground her way to victory in the tie-breaker of the second set but it was too much of an effort for her to go all the way. Maya Joint won 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3.

Serena Williams unsurprisingly looked pretty rusty to start off the match against Maya Joint, 24 years her junior, but she grew into the game as it wore on. She lost the first set 3-6 but then forced the second into a tie-breaker. She first saved match point in it and then went on to win the tie-breaker itself to force the match into a deciding set.

Serena then took the lead for the first time in the match but, as the clock ticked past two hours in the match, the effort started to show on the 44-year–old. She ended up losing three sets in a row to go from 2-1 up to 4-2 down. While she bit back to make it 4-3, Joint managed to see it through in the end. Serena was all smiles as she walked off the Centre Court to rapturous applause.

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While it was the end of the adventure for her in singles, Serena will be back a couple of days later with her sister Venus in a reunion of the legendary Williams sisters doubles pair that won 14 Grand Slam titles – six of them at Wimbledon – and three Olympic gold medals. They will be facing Camilla Osorio of Colombia and Solana Sierra of Argentina on Thursday.

SCROLL DOWN FOR HIGHLIGHTS OF SERENA WILLIAMS’ COMEBACK AT WIMBLEDON:

Live Updates
Jul 1, 2026 02:40 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Thus ends a singles adventure for Serena at this year's Wimbledon

But this, incredibly, is not the last time we will be seeing her this year at Wimbledon. She will walk out with her sister Venus tomorrow, a reunion of the legendary Williams sisters doubles team that has won 14 Grand Slam titles - six of them at Wimbledon - and three Olympic gold medals. They face Camilla Osorio of Colombia and Solana Sierra of Argentina on Thursday.

Serena was all smiles as she walked up to the net to shake hands with her opponent, who looked utterly stunned out of her head once she could lose her game face. More smiles after that as she packed her bags and left Centre Court, waving to the crowds and soaking in the rapturous applause. That's that from us here. Thanks for your company!

Jul 1, 2026 02:30 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Maya Joint beats Serena Williams 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3

Well, she didn't have anything left in her tank in the end. Williams actually won the first point and somehow, she stayed with Joint at 30-30 as well. A tame forehand into the net gives Joint match point but Williams somehow made it back to deuce. Joint then won it with an ace, with Williams unable to move an inch to get her back hand to that serve and then Joint sees it off with a forehand.

Jul 1, 2026 02:24 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Joint serving for the match...

Serena holds to reduce Joint's lead to 4-3. Once again, the 23-time Grand Slam winner was looking pretty weary there. But, but, but, but... she would know that this is potentially the last act of the game. And she might just get some extra verve for it, something that Joint surely would be aware of and would be mentally fortifying herself to face. Here we go!

Jul 1, 2026 02:19 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Joint races to a 4-2 lead now

Well, the match has gone beyond 2 hours and the effort is now starting to show on Serena. Joint gets a break to make it 2-2 and then holds to take the lead. Serena then double faults to leave Joint with another break point, which she converts after Williams' back hand tamely finds the net.

Jul 1, 2026 02:10 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Williams 2-1 ahead in the third set

Yes, she did win the second set but this is the first time that Serena has truly taken the lead in this match, which is saying something. And she does it with another break. Joint makes an unforced error on the forehand and Williams is ahead 2-1.

Jul 1, 2026 01:48 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: SERENA WINS THE 2ND SET TIE-BREAK!

Oh the GOAT has taken this into the third set! Williams manages to get to set point herself after saving match point and then a lengthy rally unfolds. Williams prevails at the end of it. Onto the third set we go and, worryingly for joint, her opponent has got better and better as this game has worn on.

Jul 1, 2026 01:47 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Serena staying in the match

Joint took a 4-3 lead with consecutive points. Williams rattled away a couple for herself after that though and led 5-4. A wayward forehand from Williams brought the score back to 5-5 and then Joint took another to lead 6-5. But Williams saves match point with a big forehand.

Jul 1, 2026 01:41 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Into the tie-breaker we go in the second set!

Joint made it a real task for her but Williams manages to hold serve to lead 6-5. Joint then holds Serena to love and so into the tie-breaker we go.

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Jul 1, 2026 01:31 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Another break for Williams…

Wow, Williams first breaks Joint again to draw level at 4-4. And then races to 40-15 on serve before finishing it off straightaway to lead 5-4. Joint then holds again and it is 5-5 in the second set.

Jul 1, 2026 01:17 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: And Joint breaks right back!

Well, that was some statement from the 20-year-old. The crowd would've still been reliving Serena's consecutive forehands to win that break when Joint quickly rattles her way to 40-0. Williams bites back but an unforced backhand error does it. Joint breaks back, 4-4 in the second set.

Jul 1, 2026 01:11 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Serena breaks Joint!

A forehand winner down the line does the job and Williams turns around with a clenched fist and shouts "COME ON!" She has drawn level at 3-3.

Jul 1, 2026 01:07 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Joint leads Williams 3-2 in 2nd set

Centre Court roared with delight when Serena raced away to come within one point of a break after holding serve, leading 40-15 on Joint's serve in the fourth game. However, Joint then smashed her way back to take the game and take a 3-1 lead. Williams holds again and trails 2-3.

Jul 1, 2026 12:55 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Joint leads Williams 2-0 in 2nd set

Serena charges to a 40-15 lead in the opening game of the second set with a booming ace. But then comes another double fault and Joint wins the next three points on the trot to break Serena straightaway. But Serena battles all the way in the second set. Joint wins it only by wrong footing the 44-year-old with a forehand pass. One suspects 10 years ago, Serena would've got to that.

Jul 1, 2026 12:46 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Joint wins first set 6-3

There have been lots of positives for Serena in this game. And yet, she has looked quite rusty for a player of this level and Joint was efficient enough to see the first game off. All of this has to be watched with some perspective of course. Serena is looking rusty but still miraculously fit for a player who hasn't played any professional singles tennis for four years and for a human being who is 44 years old and a mother of two kids.

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Jul 1, 2026 12:39 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Joint breaks Williams!

Two double faults there from Williams, one that allowed Joint to level the scores 15-15 and the second that gave Joint advantage after she had saved a break point. She then fires a backhand wide and Joint takes a 5-3 lead in the set. Now then, Serena has said nothing about wanting to win a record-equalling 24th Grand Slam in the leadup to this tournament. She decided to play at the last minute and she literally said she is doing it because, why not? The kids are at home, it is vacation time in school, she has nothing to do. It all sounded like she is here to have some fun, something that she surely was never able to do in her career due to the brickloads of pressure on her every time she used to walk out. AND YET.... being broken by a 20-year-old must be stinging her. Is she going to break back?

Jul 1, 2026 12:27 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Williams 2-3 Joint in 1st set

No breaks so far with both players easing into the game. Serena clearly needs some time to get the full gamut of her game going but her service seems as powerful as it was the last time she won the title here, let alone the last time she played here four years ago. Joint has done well to keep her head here. However, there was a bit of a scare in the fifth game when she went 40-15 down due to a double fault. An unforced backhand error from Serena and a forehand winner then allows Joint to make it Deuce. She took advantage but was brought back to deuce. Then Joint takes advantage again with a backhand and then a stinging forehand allows her to take a 3-2 lead in the set.

Jul 1, 2026 12:15 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Service holds all the way first 3 games

Joint holds to start things off. A penny for her thoughts as well. The 20-year-old was a 10-year-old when she must've seen Serena last win at Wimbledon and now here she is, facing her with this whole place having come to a standstill for her opponent. But she goes through her motions and holds service. Serena does the same after that but she then concedes the next game with a couple of rather wayward forehands. Nothing alarming yet, though.

Jul 1, 2026 12:04 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Maya Joint to serve

The Australian had won the coin toss and she has chosen to serve. Hundreds are hanging out on the lawns looking at the big screen and Centre Court is packed to the rafters. This is the big-ticket event of the year. And really, it feels pretty unbelievable. Serena Williams, set to receive serve in the first round of Wimbledon on Centre Court.

Jul 1, 2026 12:02 AM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Serena is on the court!

There she is! Serena Williams, on centre court for the first time since 2022. 23 Grand Slam titles, seven of those right here at Wimbledon. Joint walks out first and behind her comes a legend. The stats role out as she warms up and what stands out is her ranking. "NR". Her sister, and soon to be doubles partner, Venus Williams, is among those in the crowd, as are her daughters Olympia and Adira and her husband, Reddit co-founder Alexis Ohanian.

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Jun 30, 2026 11:40 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Zverev wins!

There it is! Zverev prevails 6-4, 6-7 (8-10), 7-6 (7-5), 7-6 (7-0) over Blockx. He wins it with an ace. Three out of the four sets in this match needed tie-breaks to come to a conclusion and that is despite Blockx facing the reigning French Open champion. Up next, you know who!

Jun 30, 2026 11:37 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Blockx showing he belongs at this level

Well, Zverev has been pushed into yet another tie-break in the fourth set but he is leading 6-0 in it. He is serving for the match now but Blockx has put down a real marker here. It will be a huge surprise if we don't see him making deep runs in Grand Slams in the near future.

Jun 30, 2026 10:51 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: What's happening on Centre Court?

Well, Blockx is showing that the hype is real. Zverve won the first set 6-4 but the second went into tie-break. Blockx edged it 10-8 and now third set has gone into tie-break as well.

Jun 30, 2026 10:23 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: 'Believe in yourself'

“No one knows how my game may or may not have evolved, what to expect ... but as of now ... you have ​to ​believe in yourself and go for any dream, no matter how wild it may ⁠be," Williams had said before her return to Wimbledon.

Jun 30, 2026 10:16 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Rybakina survives

Elena Rybakina survived a first round scare against French debutant Lois Boisson to grind out an unconvincing 6-4 1-6 6-3 win. Boisson, who enjoyed a fairytale run to the French Open semi-finals last year but was knocked out in the first round this year, ⁠was ​helped by an error-strewn performance by the Russian-born Kazakh ranked 152 places above her.

Jun 30, 2026 10:04 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Serena to team up with Venus

After she plays her singles match, Serena will team up with sister Venus Williams at a later date for their Wimbledon doubles match. Williams has won seven Wimbledon singles titles and ‌doubles titles alongside Venus.

Jun 30, 2026 09:51 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Who is Maya Joint?

Born and raised in the USA with an Australian father, Joint represents her father's country in pro tennis. The 20-year-old is currently ranked 87 in the world but she has a career-best ranking of 28. Her first year on tour in 2025 was a promising one, she won two WTA titles, and it was during this period that she broke into the top 30. Williams said that she is aware of Joint. “Actually I know her,” Williams told reporters on Saturday. “I've watched some of her videos. I'm sure she knows my game.”

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Jun 30, 2026 09:27 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Since Serena last won the Wimbledon...

Serena had won at the All England Club in 2015 and 2016 and since then, no player has been able to succesfully defend a Championship title. The players to have won the title since then: Garbine Muguruza (2017), Angelique Kerber (2018), Simona Halep (2019), Ash Barty (2021), Elena Rybakina (2022), Marketa Vondrousova (2023), Barbora Krejcikova (2024) and Iga Swiatek (2025).

Jun 30, 2026 08:45 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Zverev vs Blockx underway on Centre Court

Blockx started off on serve and holds as well and so he leads in the first set for now, although that really is an indicator of nothing. On Court 1, 2nd seed Elena Rybakina is up against France's Lois Boisson. Rybakina had won the first set 6-4 but is trailing 1-3 in the second.

Jun 30, 2026 08:15 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Swiatek prevails!

Swiatek gets three successive breaks in the third set and that left the defending champion on serve with the score 5-3 in her favour. She held comfortably and has beaten Townsend 6-1, 2-6, 6-3. Up next is Zverev vs Blockx and Serena's match comes only after that. Don't expect it to start before 10.30pm IST now.

Jun 30, 2026 07:34 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Taylor Fritz has won on Court 1

American sixth seed Taylor Fritz has cruised through to the next round with a 6-3, 6-4, 6-3 win over Serbian Dusan Lajovic. It is Lajovic's birthday and Fritz apologises to him for ruining the day in his on-court interview.

Jun 30, 2026 07:20 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: When is Serena's match?

Serena Williams' first-round match against Maya Joint is scheduled to be the third to be played today on Centre Court. One can expect the match to start some time after 9.30pm IST for now, based on the situation in the match betwen Swiatek and Townsend. However, be ready for that to be postponed as well as the second match is a men's singles tie between the reigning French Open champion Alexander Zverev and Belgian 21-year-old Alexander Blockx. A lot of good things have been said about Blockx and if he does live up to that potential, he could push Zverev beyond three sets.

Jun 30, 2026 07:09 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: On Centre Court right now...

Defending champion Iga Swiatek is facing American Taylor Townsend in their first round match. Swiatek won the first set on a canter 6-1 but, incredibly, she is currently trailing Townsend 1-5 in the second. She is on serve right now and has thus far raced to a 30-0 lead but the Polish superstar has her work cut out today.

Jun 30, 2026 07:05 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: A queue of 10,000 people for tickets

AP further reports that that the queue of hopeful spectators who were camping out overnight or the daily batches of Wimbledon tickets on offer had reached 10,000 people by Monday morning. "We are advising people if they haven't already set off to travel, not to travel because the queue is effectively full," Bolton said. "By comparison to last year, it is really busy."

Jun 30, 2026 07:03 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Wimbledon's wild card for Serena

It shouldn't come as too much of a surprise that the powers that be at the All England Club were hoping against hope that Serena does play at Wimbledon. And for this, the organisers took the unusual step of holding up an eighth and final wild card spot for Williams until she accepted the invitation at almost the last possible moment the weekend before qualifying began.

"We were all sitting there sort of quietly keeping our fingers crossed that that's what would happen," All England Club chief executive Sally Bolton told AP. "She is such an icon of the sport and particularly here at the championship she's one of our most special champions," Bolton added. "So it really will be the ticket to have tomorrow when she walks back on Centre Court."

Jun 30, 2026 06:35 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Serena Williams between 2022 and now

Her last professional tennis match was at the 2022 US Open but well, this is Serena WIlliams we are talking about. She has been pretty busy in her time away from tennis.

Here is a year-by-year breakdown of Williams’ accomplishments during her hiatus from Tennis:

2022:

Williams shipped her primary focus to ‘Serena Ventures’, the Venture Capital firm, she founded in 2014. She raised a $111 million inaugural fund to invest in early-stage startups, specifically prioritizing women, BIPOC (Black, Indigenous, and People of Color) and underrepresented founders. The firm boasts over a dozen “unicorn” investments, startups valued at over $1 billion.

2023:

Williams gave birth to her second child, ‘Adira’ River Ohanian, in August.

She continued her work in Hollywood as she scaled up operations at her production company, Nine Two Six Productions. She finalised a first-look TV deal with Amazon Studios to develop scripted and unscripted projects centering on diverse, uplifting storytelling.

Williams continued her philanthropic work through the Yetunde Price Resource Center in Compton, California, which was founded in honor of her late sister. The YPRC provides therapy and resources to victims of community violence.

2024:

Williams entered the cosmetics industry by launching her own brand ‘WYN Beauty’ in partnership with the Good Glamm Group.

She was Inducted in National Women’s Hall Of Fame as part of an elite class celebrating women who changed American history.

She hosted the 2024 ESPY Awards, using her platform to highlight historic milestones in women’s sports.

She was selected as a Global Glamour Woman of the Year, featuring on the cover to talk about navigating motherhood, post-tennis life, and corporate success.

2025:

Williams received the Princess of Asturias Award for Sports as she was not only recognized as one of the history’s greatest athletes but also praised for her constant advocacy of gender equality and corporate inclusivity.

Williams took the world by surprise after starring in a Nike promotional video alongside basketball star LeBron James to officially announce she was ending her four-year hiatus.

Jun 30, 2026 06:09 PM IST
Serena Williams vs Maya Joint Wimbledon Match Live Updates: Hello and welcome!

Well, who'da thunk eh? Certainly not Maya Joint. She was a 10-year-old the last time she saw Serena Williams win Wimbledon the last time. 10 years later, she is a pro, fighting it out on the tour and becoming one of the very few, privileged souls to have had the honour of playing in the main round at SW19. And she starts her campaign by facing... Serena Williams! She is 44 years old but clearly, the athlete in her was not done playing in 2022. One can stay away from competing for only so long in these circustances and so here we are, seeing the last true global superstar of women's tennis taking the court once again.

What was Serena Williams up to during four-year break before Wimbledon return

Serena Williams is set to return at the Wimbledon 2026 on Tuesday after having officially retired from the sport back in September 2022, but during her time away  from the court, she has accomplished a lot including solidifying her business and philanthropic empire.

Earlier this month, Williams had also returned to professional tennis as well when she teamed up with 19-year-old Canadian Victoria Mboko to take on the third-seeded duo Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe at Queen’s Club. Williams and Mboko had won that match but their partnership was cut short when the latter suffered a knee injury that ruled her out of Wimbledon. READ MORE

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