Williams’ return to Centre Court

Serena Williams made her return to Wimbledon‘s singles draw, facing Maya Joint in a match that saw the 44-year-old American narrowly defeated in three sets. The match marked Williams’ first singles appearance at the tournament in four years, following her last outing at the All England Club against Harmony Tan.

Williams received a warm reception as she stepped onto Centre Court, a venue where she has previously secured seven singles titles and six women’s doubles titles. Her return came 1,462 days after her last point at the club, demonstrating a resilient spirit by saving a match point and pushing the contest to a deciding set against an opponent 24 years her junior.

Despite the crowd’s support, Australia’s Joint maintained her composure to secure a 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 victory. Following the match, Williams congratulated Joint at the net and acknowledged the ovation from the crowd as she exited the court.

Joint’s perspective on the match

Maya Joint expressed her disbelief and excitement after her win against Serena Williams. In her on-court interview, Joint mentioned her difficulty sleeping the night before the match, staying awake until 2am contemplating the upcoming game. She described feeling overwhelmed upon entering the court, noting that her legs were not moving as she had forgotten her warm-up routine.

Joint, who had experienced a series of 11 consecutive losses at WTA Tour-level matches prior to this encounter, delivered what was described as her best performance of the season under significant pressure. She acknowledged Williams’ legendary status and the aura she brings to the court, stating that she had dreamt of such a moment since childhood.

The 20-year-old Joint’s victory marks her first win at Wimbledon, a significant milestone in her career. Her performance against one of the sport’s icons highlighted her ambition and determination to compete at the highest level.

Williams’ reflections and future plans

Serena Williams opted not to hold a mandatory post-match news conference, instead releasing a statement about her return. She conveyed her enjoyment of being back at Wimbledon, an experience she had not anticipated. Williams described the atmosphere and walking out onto the court as amazing, stating that she relished and missed the moment, enjoying it more than anything else.

The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion had made her competitive return to women’s doubles earlier in the month, nearly four years after indicating she was stepping away from the sport. She had shown glimpses of her previous form alongside Canadian teenager Victoria Mboko at Queen’s and with Karolina Muchova in Berlin, though questions remained about her physical readiness for singles play.

By returning, Williams became the second oldest player to participate in the women’s singles draw at Wimbledon. Her initial struggles in the opening set, particularly in baseline rallies against Joint’s powerful down-the-line winners, suggested that her time away from the sport had taken a toll. However, she gradually improved, battling back from a break down twice in the second set to force a tie-break.

Williams saved a match point with a powerful forehand winner and a 120mph serve, delighting the Centre Court crowd by extending the match. This effort, however, appeared to come at a cost, as she was unable to maintain the pace with Joint in the deciding set. Williams’ motivation for her comeback reportedly included the desire for her two daughters, Olympia, who is eight, and Adira, who is almost three, to watch her play. Both daughters, along with her husband Alexis Ohanian and sister Venus, were present in her players’ box.

The Williams sisters are scheduled to compete together in the doubles draw later this week. The pair, who have won six doubles titles at Wimbledon, are set to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in their first-round match.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Williams makes Wimbledon singles return, beaten by Joint in three sets appeared first on NewsGB.

Serena Williams experienced a first-round defeat in her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, losing to Australian player Maya Joint. The match, held on Centre Court, marked Williams’ first professional singles appearance since 2022.

Williams, at 44 years old, was defeated with a score of 6-3, 6-7 (6/8), 6-3. Despite saving a match point in the second set to force a decider, she ultimately ran out of momentum. This marks her third consecutive first-round exit at the All England Club, following similar outcomes in 2021 and four years prior.

Williams’ Return and Joint’s Performance

The 23-time Grand Slam champion had announced her return to the sport earlier this month and had participated in two doubles matches before Wimbledon. Her presence at the tournament generated considerable anticipation, with many supporters holding signs and wearing apparel expressing their excitement for her comeback.

Williams received a warm reception as she entered the court, and the crowd’s energy intensified when she secured the second set. She became the second-oldest player to compete in the Wimbledon women’s singles in the Open era, following Martina Navratilova, who reached the second round at 47 in 2004.

Maya Joint, a 20-year-old, expressed her nervousness about the match, stating she had little sleep the night before. Joint, ranked 87th in the WTA, had lost her previous 11 tour-level matches dating back to January. Despite a second-set lapse, she maintained her composure against Williams.

Joint’s performance included securing the first break of the match for 5-3 in the first set, which she then closed out. In the second set, she earned another break early on, but Williams fought back, breaking twice to level the score and eventually win the set in a tiebreak.

Williams’ serve, a key aspect of her game, showed potency, with serves recorded at 123 mph and an ace at 121 mph. However, sustaining her high level of play proved challenging over the course of the match. Joint ultimately broke Williams twice in the deciding set to take a 5-2 lead, eventually converting her third match point.

Other Matches and What’s Next

In other Wimbledon matches, reigning champion Iga Swiatek overcame a second-set challenge to defeat Taylor Townsend 6-1, 2-6, 6-3. Swiatek made 16 unforced errors in the second set but managed to win the decider, setting up a second-round encounter with former world number one Karolina Pliskova.

Second seed Elena Rybakina also secured a victory, battling past Lois Boisson in three sets. Amanda Anisimova advanced with a straight-sets win against Lina Gjorcheska.

In the men’s draw, French Open champion Alexander Zverev progressed after a challenging first-round match against Alexander Blockx, winning 6-4, 6-7 (8/10), 7-6 (7/5), 7-6 (7/0). However, fourth seed Ben Shelton was eliminated by Otto Virtanen in a fifth-set tie-break.

Following her singles defeat, Serena Williams will now focus on the women’s doubles competition, where she is scheduled to play alongside her sister, Venus Williams. The sisters have won six doubles titles together at Wimbledon.

Williams released a statement after her match, expressing her enjoyment of the moment and the atmosphere. She noted that she never expected to be back at Wimbledon and relished the experience.

Joint will next face Alexandra Eala, the 29th seed, who dropped only three games in her first Wimbledon win against Renata Zarazua.

Source: aljazeera.com

The post Wimbledon: Serena Williams’ singles return ends in first-round defeat appeared first on NewsGB.

Serena Williams is making her return to singles tennis at Wimbledon, facing Maya Joint in her first match since the 2022 US Open. This comeback follows her participation in doubles events in London and Berlin. Williams had previously stated in 2022 that she was “evolving away” from the sport, but later clarified that she was not retired, suggesting a return was possible.

Her decision to accept a singles wild card for Wimbledon surprised some, including Monica Puig, who noted that Williams had previously indicated she would ease her way back into singles play. Puig, the 2016 Rio Olympics gold medallist, expressed excitement for tennis and Wimbledon, highlighting Williams’ champion mindset and competitive nature.

Comeback and preparation

Williams’ return to competitive play began with doubles matches. She impressed in her opening doubles match at Queen’s Club alongside Victoria Mboko. However, Mboko’s injury unfortunately limited Williams to just one match there. Her subsequent appearance in Berlin saw her suffer a first-round loss with Karolina Muchova.

Despite the limited competitive singles play, Williams has been active. She re-entered the anti-doping testing pool late last year, a commitment necessary for professional tennis players. The grass-court season was seen as a logical choice for her return due to her comfort on the surface and its comparatively lower physical demands than clay courts. Williams is also competing in doubles at Wimbledon with her sister Venus Williams.

Lindsay Davenport, a former world No. 1, observed that Williams appears to be in excellent physical condition, possibly better than when she initially stepped away from the sport. Davenport acknowledged that grass is a demanding surface to start on, being fast, low, and physical, requiring significant bending.

Expert views on her return

Monica Puig believes that Williams would not have accepted a wild card if she did not feel fully fit, especially given the challenging nature of grass courts. Puig suggested Williams might adopt a “nothing-to-lose” mentality or a “champions mentality” focused on winning, emphasising the need to take it day by day.

Williams’ serve is expected to be a crucial asset, with Puig noting its ability to get her out of trouble. At Queen’s Club, Williams’ serve reached an impressive 120mph. Puig also highlighted Williams’ sharpness at the net and with her groundstrokes. Keeping points short will be key on grass, a surface that can be mentally exhausting due to its quick pace and momentum shifts.

Former Wimbledon champion Marion Bartoli expressed concerns about the physical demands of returning at Williams’ age, particularly after two pregnancies. However, Bartoli noted that playing in front of her children seemed to give Williams strength, and she was thrilled to see her back on court, particularly after her strong serving performance in her first doubles match at Queen’s.

Mats Wilander, a tennis expert, believes Williams’ comeback is not short-term and expects her to compete at the US Open. He also suggested that Williams might be aiming for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, given her past success with multiple gold medals in singles and doubles. Wilander considers Williams to have arguably the best women’s serve of all time, which is a significant advantage on grass courts where the serve and return of serve are paramount.

Financial standing and future aspirations

Williams returns to Wimbledon as one of the wealthiest female athletes. By the time she initially stepped away from tennis, her estimated pre-tax income from her professional career, which began in 1995, was almost $450 million. Her lifetime earnings are now estimated at roughly $620 million, with a net worth of $400 million, making her the world’s richest woman who primarily earned her fortune as an athlete.

Her financial success extends beyond prize money, with ten long-term sponsors including Audemars Piguet, Lincoln, Nike, and Wilson Sporting Goods. She has also diversified her business ventures, engaging in speaking engagements, publishing a children’s book, and launching Nine Two Six Productions. Her investment firm, Serena Ventures, has funded 16 unicorns as of 2022 and raised $111 million for its inaugural fund. Williams has also invested in sports teams, including a stake in the NFL’s Miami Dolphins, Angel City FC in the National Women’s Soccer League, and the Toronto Tempo of the WNBA.

Williams has stated she is putting no pressure on herself for her return, viewing it as an opportunity to compete possibly one last time. Her opponent, Maya Joint, is a 20-year-old Australian who is unseeded and ranked 53rd in the world. Wilander noted that Williams’ aura will likely be a significant factor against such a young opponent who has never played her before.

Williams’ return to singles tennis at Wimbledon marks her first competitive singles match since the 2022 US Open.

Source: skysports.com

The post Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon singles after nearly four-year break appeared first on NewsGB.

Serena Williams is set to make her singles return at Wimbledon against Australian Maya Joint in the first round. The seven-time women’s champion at the All England Club received a wildcard for her singles comeback at the age of 44, having not competed since the US Open in 2022. Joint, who is 20 years old, experienced a first-round exit in her Wimbledon main-draw debut last year and has secured only one victory in her last 14 matches.

In the men’s draw, Britain’s Jack Draper faces a challenging opening match against American sixth seed Taylor Fritz. Draper is continuing his return after a series of injury issues and recently reached the Eastbourne semi-finals in his first tournament since April. He was still ranked within the top 100 when the entry list closed, securing his place in the draw despite his current ranking outside it.

British players’ draw outcomes

Emma Raducanu, the British number one and 30th seed, is scheduled to begin her campaign against Croatia’s Antonia Ruzic. However, there are concerns regarding her fitness following a shin injury that prevented her from practicing on Thursday. Raducanu could potentially meet top seed Aryna Sabalenka in the third round, a repeat of their encounter at Wimbledon last year.

Another notable British player, Cameron Norrie, seeded 26th in the men’s singles, will start against American qualifier Michael Zheng. Norrie, who reached the semi-finals in 2022, could face Canadian third seed Felix Auger-Aliassime in the third round. Katie Boulter, Francesca Jones, and Jan Choinski also secured their spots through their rankings.

Twelve British players were granted wildcards, six men and six women. Among them, Toby Samuel has a tough first-round match against French Open semi-finalist Jakub Mensik. Three players, Ollie Tarvet, Billy Harris, and Max Basing, successfully qualified after winning three matches this week, marking the highest number of home players to qualify since 1999.

Williams’ anticipated return

The women’s draw ceremony on Friday generated significant anticipation, particularly concerning Serena Williams’ placement. As a wildcard entry, Williams could have been drawn against a top-ranked player like Aryna Sabalenka or Iga Swiatek, or a lower-ranked qualifier. Her match against 20-year-old Maya Joint appears to be a favorable start.

Williams’ return to singles action has been a topic of discussion since she re-entered the anti-doping testing pool. Her comfort on grass and the surface’s comparatively lower physical demands are seen as factors favoring her comeback. She has played two doubles matches since beginning her return earlier this month and will also compete in the Wimbledon doubles event alongside her older sister Venus Williams, with whom she has won the title six times.

Former Olympic gold medalist Monica Puig expressed surprise at Williams’ decision to accept a singles wildcard so soon, but acknowledged the excitement it brings to tennis and Wimbledon. Puig highlighted Williams’ champion mindset and competitive nature, suggesting she will approach the tournament with a strong mentality. Williams’ serve, which reached an impressive 120mph at Queen’s Club, is expected to be a crucial asset on the grass courts.

If Williams advances past Joint, she could face 29th seed Alexandra Eala of the Philippines next, with a potential third-round match against reigning women’s champion Iga Swiatek. Swiatek will begin her title defense against American Taylor Townsend. Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic starts his bid for a 25th Grand Slam title against China’s Wu Yibing, while world number one Jannik Sinner, defending his Wimbledon title, will play against Serbia’s Miomir Kecmanovic.

Other notable matches

In other significant first-round matches in the women’s singles, top seed Aryna Sabalenka will play Teodora Kostovic, and fourth seed Jessica Pegula is set to face Darja Vidmanova. Fifth seed Mirra Andreeva will compete against Magda Linette, and seventh seed Coco Gauff will play Tamara Korpatsch. Second seed Elena Rybakina is matched against Lois Boisson.

For the men’s singles, Casper Ruud, the 11th seed, will face Hubert Hurkacz. Eighth seed Daniil Medvedev is drawn against Marin Cilic, and Roberto Bautista Agut will play 24th seed Joao Fonseca. Wildcard entry Stan Wawrinka is set to meet Matteo Berrettini, and second seed Alexander Zverev will play Alexander Blockx.

Carlos Alcaraz will not be participating in Wimbledon this year as he continues to recover from a wrist injury.

Source: bbc.co.uk

The post Wimbledon first round sees Serena Williams face Maya Joint, Jack Draper to play Taylor Fritz appeared first on NewsGB.