By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Photo Credit: @Wimbledon.
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 Centre Court.
Four years ago, the American great waved what many thought would be a final goodbye to Centre Court after a first-round loss to France’s Harmony Tan.
But on Tuesday, the 44-year-old received an electric reception as she stepped back onto the pristine grass courts on which she won seven singles and six women’s doubles titles.
And, 1,462 days after her last point at the All-England Club, Williams demonstrated her never-give-up mentality to save a match point and force a deciding set against a player 24 years her junior.
Despite the crowd’s best attempts to help Williams open the latest chapter of her tennis career with victory, Australia’s Joint held firm to claim a win.
“I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a little kid so this was pretty crazy,” Joint said after the match during an on-court interview.
Williams congratulated Joint at the net before lapping up the ovation that came her way as she made her exit.
Williams’ return to the singles court was highly anticipated. The 23-time major champion made her official comeback to the tour earlier this month, joining Canadian Victoria Mboko at the HSBC Championships for doubles. After winning the first round, they exited in the second after Mboko was injured.
In addition to receiving a wild-card entry for the singles draw, Williams will be partnering with Venus Williams, her older sister in doubles through an invitation at Wimbledon. The pair have a total of 14 major doubles titles, including six at Wimbledon.
Williams last won Wimbledon in 2016 and holds an overall 98-14 record, but lost in the first round at her last appearance in 202
Meanwhile Defending champion Iga Swiatek overcame a serious second-set wobble to reach the second round at Wimbledon on Tuesday, beating powerful American Taylor Townsend 6-1 2-6 6-3 and Wimbledon second seed and 2022 champion Elena Rybakina survived a first-round scare against French debutant Lois Boisson to grind out an unconvincing 6-4 1-6 6-3 win on Tuesday.
Elsewhere Eighth seed Elina Svitolina was sent spinning out of Wimbledon in the opening round after a 7-5 6-2 defeat by fellow Ukrainian Daria Snigur on Tuesday, as her wait for a maiden Grand Slam title was extended.