Serena Williams opted not to do a post-match press conference after her return to Wimbledon Centre Court ended in defeat. The 44-year-old skipped her post-match media duties without giving a reason after losing in three sets to Maya Joint in her first singles tennis match in four years.
She released a brief statement which read: “It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything.”
Williams was greeted with a massive cheer as the players made their way out onto the pitch. It was the American’s first match since retiring from the sport four years ago.
Williams ultimately fell to a three-set loss against 20-year-old Australian Joint. Williams lost the first set 6-3 and was staring down the barrel of a straight-sets defeat, having lost her serve on two occasions in the second set, but the 23-time Grand Slam champion fought back to take the set on a tiebreaker.
But it was Joint who took advantage in the third and deciding set, taking it 6-3 to win the match and make it to the second round of Wimbledon for the first time.
Speaking on court after the victory, Joint was visibly stunned. “I don’t know what just happened,” she said. “I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was up to 2am thinking about it.
“Walking out, I forgot the warm-up, I don’t know what happened. My legs weren’t moving. I got a pretty good start in the match. She has such an aura, she is such a legend.
“So many huge names have played on this court. I have been dreaming of this moment since I was a little kid, so this is pretty crazy.
“I tried to come out to this court and play a match against her – the start was very nerve-wracking and to finish it off was special. She lifted her level and played some really great tennis.”
Williams will now be back in action when she teams up with older sister Venus in the doubles. The pair take on Solana Sierra and Camila Osorio in the first round of the tournament on Thursday.