Serena storms Centre Court with vintage Wimbledon return
Seven-time champion dismantles Maya Joint in straight sets on opening day, proving age is just a number.
Serena Williams announced her Wimbledon return in emphatic fashion on Tuesday, dismantling Maya Joint 6-0, 6-1 in 55 minutes on Centre Court. The seven-time champion conceded just three games, firing 14 winners against five unforced errors while converting six of eight break points. Williams, 44, last played Wimbledon in 2022 before her initial retirement announcement, and her precision—including a 78% first-serve clip—sent a message to the field.
The demolition was vintage Serena: relentless groundstrokes from the baseline, sharp angles, and a serve that averaged 112 mph on first delivery. Joint, ranked outside the top 200, managed only three winners and double faults on 12% of service games. The match ended with Williams sealing the second set with a 12-minute hold, her movement still sharp despite the 14-year gap since her last grass-court singles title.
