Serena Williams lost to Maya Joint in the first round of Wimbledon.
It was an unsuccessful return to singles action for Williams, who lost in three sets on Centre Court.
What did you make of Serena Williams’ level on her return to singles?
Serena Williams is OUT of the Wimbledon singles event…
Regardless of the result, Williams did herself proud, fighting hard from the first point to the last.
And she did all of that in front of her husband and her two daughters.
Serena Williams’ husband said he was ‘proud’ of her during first-round Wimbledon defeat
Williams’ husband, Alexis Ohanian, posted the following message on X during the match.
“We’re so proud of you mama – cheering section,” he wrote.
Williams’ daughters, Olympia and Adira, were in attendance on Tuesday evening, watching from the stands as she attempted to make a winning comeback at 44.
Their presence played a major role in Williams’ decision to return to tennis, something she explained clearly during a press conference at Queen’s earlier this month.
“I’ve had enough pressure. It’s really about my kids getting to see me play,” said Williams.
Williams’ eldest daughter, Olympia, was only four when she retired from tennis at the 2022 US Open, and she hadn’t given birth to Adira when she played what many believed to be the final match of her career.
Despite losing against Joint, her daughters got to watch her play and play well, as she displayed some of the shot-making that saw her win 23 Grand Slam singles titles.
And that might not be all for Williams, as not only does she have doubles to play with her sister, Venus Williams, but the door isn’t shut for more singles competition later this year.
Where else could Serena Williams play singles in 2026?
If Williams is to play any more singles matches this year, the likelihood is that she will prioritise the big events.
Take Novak Djokovic’s ‘streamlined’ schedule, and streamline it some more.
Williams isn’t going to play smaller WTA 250s or Challengers; if she is playing, it’s going to be on one of the biggest stages.
And what stage is bigger than Arthur Ashe Stadium and Flushing Meadows?
With the crowd behind her, who knows what Williams might be able to achieve at the US Open?
At 41, Williams reached the third round of the 2022 US Open, defeating the second seed Anett Kontaveit along the way.
Four years on, maybe Williams has one more legendary run left in her.
There’s work to be done before she turns her attention to the US Open, though, as she now begins to prepare for doubles at Wimbledon.
The Williams sisters will play Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio in the first round on Thursday, July 2.
