Serena Williams shaking Maya Joint’s hand after losing at Wimbledon. (Image: Getty)
It turns out Serena Williams is a bad loser. Who would have thought that? It turns out she can be a bit of a diva? Well, I never. It turns out she gets particularly special privileges? Blimey, that’s a shock. Williams is coming in for some pretty fierce criticism after offering her first-round conqueror, Maya Joint, only the most perfunctory of handshakes after the Australian completed a three-set victory on Monday night.
Williams is coming in for some pretty fierce criticism for deciding against doing media duties after her loss to Joint. Williams is coming in for some pretty fierce criticism for getting a wildcard in the first place, particularly as she had not played a competitive singles match in four years.
But here’s the thing. Williams has always been a bad loser. That is why she has 23 Grand Slam singles titles to her name.
Williams has always been a bit of a diva. That is how so many great sportsmen and sportswomen are wired.
Williams has had particularly special privileges for a long time. That comes with having been the Wimbledon champion on seven occasions.
All that stuff might not be to everyone’s liking but it comes with the territory of sporting greatness.
EXPRESS SPORT ON FB! Get all the best sports news and much more on our Facebook page
The handshake and lack of warmth towards Joint, who was overwhelmed by the victory over her idol, was noticeable but this was not an exhibition match – this was the first round of a Grand Slam tournament.
It was a match that Williams, despite the long absence and despite her being 24 years older than her opponent, expected to win.
She would have been gutted not to have done so. Not all vanquished players give the victors a hug. Some do, but not all.
The fuss over the handshake is a bit overblown. But the pertinent question is whether Williams should have been given that wildcard in the first place.
Serena Williams walked off court and didn’t hold a press conference. (Image: Getty)
Was it a marketing ruse from Wimbledon, knowing there was a shortage of stardust at this year’s Championships and knowing they would be competing for attention with the behemoth that is the World Cup?
It is a fair question, especially as Williams did not prepare for her return with any competitive singles matches. And quite frankly, it showed.
She never had any realistic chance of winning a 24th Grand Slam title but the level of performance in the defeat to Joint was probably lower than we expected.
But it was not lower than most of the performances given by British wildcard entries in the women’s draw.
Six got wild cards and five were beaten in the first round. Those who were beaten picked up £80,000.
Handing wildcards to home players who have little chance of progressing beyond round one is probably just as contentious as handing one to a seven-time champion and an all-time great, not just of tennis, but of sport.
Wildcards are always going to be contentious. Full stop.
Just because she pretty much blanked Joint and did not show up to speak to the media are no reasons to think the All England Club has let itself down by inviting Williams to play in the main singles draw.
One thing is for sure. Williams did little wrong and was, well, just Williams, but it won’t be happening again.
Not for Williams and not for any great who is well past his or her best.