Williams rolls back years before youth of Joint overcomes veteran on Centre Court

Williams rolls back years before youth of Joint overcomes veteran on Centre Court Last updated 30 June 2026 10:38pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Serena Williams put up a decent fight, but ultimately age caught up with her on Centre Court  Credit: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters Uche Amako (live updates). Simon Briggs Tennis Correspondent, at Wimbledon Last updated 30 June 2026 10:38pm BST Save Share article Log in or Subscribe Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Add us as preferred source Add us as preferred source Copy link X Icon twitter Facebook Icon facebook WhatsApp Icon whatsapp email Serena Williams turned Centre Court into a time machine for a few minutes on Tuesday night, as 15,000 people enjoyed a glimpse into her glorious past. It is true that, for much of this three-set defeat at the hands of Maya Joint, Williams was a lacklustre imitation of the woman who once struck fear into the hearts of every opponent. But there was a moment, when she saved a match point and stole the second set on a tightrope-walking tie-break, when we could have been back in 2016. Listen to that roar! 🤩 Serena Williams takes Maya Joint to a deciding set 👏 pic.twitter.com/snORz62qvb — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 30, 2026 With an early exit on the cards at 5-6 down, Williams found two huge serves down the “T”, then fought her way through a gritty rally to level the match-up at a set apiece. And as the crowd celebrated the extension of their evening’s entertainment, Williams finally showed us some emotion. Until that moment, she had been plodding vacantly around the court, like a woman on heavy medication. But now she clenched her fist and roared, as if awakened from her slumber. Williams lets out the emotion Credit: Andrew Couldridge/Reuters At her peak, Williams was as pitiless as a raptor. She would have feasted on Joint, who was vulnerable in the aftermath of that sudden volte-face. But we are talking about a 44-year-old confronting a 20-year-old: the sort of age disparity you are more likely to find in a university seminar than a professional tennis tournament. Another twist in the narrative was soon upon us. Williams held game point for a 3-1 lead in the third set. She softened Joint up with a bludgeoning forehand, earning a juicy short ball that barely cleared the net. Trotting forward to apply the coup de grâce, she lined up that picture-perfect backhand – and blared what should have been an easy putaway inexplicably over the baseline. Well, it would have been inexplicable once. But Williams had not played a competitive singles match since losing to another Australian, Ajla Tomljanovic, at the 2022 US Open. Maya Joint and Williams meet at the net after their three-setter Credit: Toby Melville/Reuters In the circumstances, it was remarkable that she made this 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 defeat into as much of a contest as she did. According to the marking system used by Wimbledon’s “Tennis Insights” team, Williams’s performance level through the middle of the match comfortably exceeded the average score in the women’s draw here, which stands at 7.56 out of 10. But a slow start and a limp ending brought her overall score down to 7.16: a respectable showing rather than a stellar one. Still, as Williams waved to the fans amid rapturous cheers on her way off the court, it was clear that every single person had appreciated their journey through time. Williams acknowledges the Centre Court crowd Credit: John Walton/PA More to follow Latest updates Uche Amako (live updates). Simon Briggs Tennis Correspondent, at Wimbledon 10:36PM A wave goodbye from a legend Link copied to clipboard Centre Court rises for @serenawilliams 🫶#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/O3XRkjQ4cv — Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) June 30, 2026 10:28PM More from Joint Link copied to clipboard “My last couple of matches have been pretty good, I think I have been playing competitively in them. “Even though I haven’t won many matches this year, I still had the belief that I could win and I just took advantage of the moment and enjoyed it. I didn’t think about the previous matches I’d played.” Joint celebrates a hard-fought victory Credit: Cameron Spencer/Getty Images 10:15PM Joint reacts Link copied to clipboard “I really don’t know what to say right now. I don’t know what just happened, to be honest. “I didn’t get much sleep last night, I was up until 2am just thinking about it. Walking out, I forgot the warm-up, I don’t know what happened. My legs weren’t moving. I really don’t know how I got a pretty good start in the match. “She has so much aura, she is such a legend. This court has had so many huge names that have played in it. I have been dreaming about this since I was a little kid so this is pretty crazy. “I think the toughest part was just trying to come out on court and play a match against her. The start was nerve-wracking. Trying to finish out the match as well, I think she definitely lifted her level. She played some great tennis there.” 10:09PM A word for Joint Link copied to clipboard Full credit to the young Australian. She has not won a match since January. 11 defeats in a row. She is drawn against one of the greatest players of all time on Centre Court. And she produces a determined and resolute display to get over the line. Chapeau! 10:01PM Not to be for Williams Link copied to clipboard Williams’ singles hopes are over but that was pretty decent overall from her. Clear signs of rustiness but there were enough signs that she could win matches with more time on the court. An incredible reception as she waves to the crowd and walks off court. Is that the last time we will see her on Centre Court? Time will tell. Williams salutes the crowd after defeat to Joint  Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA 9:57PM Williams 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 3-6 Joint* Link copied to clipboard A reminder that Joint has lost her last 11 matches, so she won’t find this easy to close out.  And Williams gets ahead 15-30 when Joint nets a backhand. Timely ace down the T from Joint, 30-30. Williams backhand return into the net, match point. Joint double faults, deuce. That was nervy. But to her credit, she responds with another ace, second match point. Williams return long, GAME SET MATCH JOINT! 9:53PM Williams* 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 3-5 Joint Link copied to clipboard Huge reception for Williams as she walks out to serve. She starts well with an unreturned first serve and moves to 30-0 when Joint’s backhand return is long. Exquisite backhand down the line winner from Joint, 30-15. Joint stays in the game with a forehand volley winner, 40-30.  And Williams holds when Joint sends a backhand return long. 9:48PM Williams 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 2-5 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Could that break be the moment that gets Joint over the line? What does Williams have left? We’ve passed the two hour mark. She must be feeling it and the movement does appear more laboured. Too many errors from the racket of Williams and Joint consolidates the break with a hold to 30. 9:45PM Williams* 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 2-4 Joint Link copied to clipboard Problems for Williams as Joint moves wide to her left and drills a backhand down the line for a winner, 0-30. Double fault Williams, three break points. Williams dumps a tired-looking backhand into the net and Joint breaks. 9:42PM Williams 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 2-3 Joint* Link copied to clipboard I cannot confidently call who will win this. But Joint does what she has to do and holds to 15 to consolidate the break. 9:41PM Williams* 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 2-2 Joint Link copied to clipboard Service games are not coming easy for either player and Joint senses a chance at 15-30. Williams shuts the door with an ace down the T, 30-30. Williams gets a look at finishing the game with a backhand down the line but sends it long, deuce. The frustration is written all over her face. And that miss could be costly after Joint places a backhand return cross court for a winner and a break point. Joint jumps all over Williams’ second serve. She gets a short ball and her forehand down the line catches the baseline for a winner. Joint breaks back. Joint stretches for a forehand Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA 9:34PM Williams 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 2-1 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Williams has been dangerous in a lot of Joint’s recent service games. The Australian is having to grind exceptionally hard to withstand the baseline hitting from Williams. Deep Williams return and Joint nervously slices a forehand into the net, break point Williams. Joint sees off the danger with a forehand winner. Joint goes for too much with her forehand and the ball sails long, second break point. Joint goes on the attack, Williams is forced to block the ball back. It sits up invitingly for Joint but once again she hits it long. Williams breaks. 9:27PM Williams* 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 1-1 Joint Link copied to clipboard The longer the match goes on, the more we will learn about where Williams’ fitness level are. Can she keep this up or will she start to drop off in the third? On the evidence of this game there is plenty left in Williams as she moves to 40-0 serenely. Joint does peg Williams back to 40-30 but the American finds her first serve and Joint sends a return long. 9:23PM Third set: Williams 3-6, 7-6 (8-6), 0-1 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Here we go then. How will Joint react to this? She hasn’t played badly but Williams held her nerve and ruthlessly took the set. Joint finds herself two break points down again in the opening game but Williams can’t take them. And Joint does well to escape and hold serve. 9:18PM What a response from Serena Link copied to clipboard What a response from match point down! And what an eruption from the crowd. Serena has brought this year’s Wimbledon to life.  At 5-6, she found two massive serves down the T and a forehand winner, followed by a gritty rally. Where do we go next? 9:16PM Williams 3-6, 7-6 (8-6) Joint - TIE-BREAK Link copied to clipboard 122mph first serve by Williams is too hot for Joint, 7-6. Joint forehand long and Williams takes the set, 8-6. Wow. Listen to that roar! 🤩 Serena Williams takes Maya Joint to a deciding set 👏 pic.twitter.com/snORz62qvb — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 30, 2026 9:15PM Williams 3-6, 6-6 (6-6) Joint - TIE-BREAK Link copied to clipboard Williams forehand long, 3-4. Williams first serve is unreturned by Joint, 4-4. 100mph swinging ace from Williams, 5-4. Brilliant forehand into the corner by Joint is too much for Williams, 5-5. Williams backhand return flies wide, 5-6. Big Williams first serve and she finishes the point with a forehand winner, 6-6. This is tense... 9:11PM Williams 3-6, 6-6 (3-3) Joint - TIE-BREAK Link copied to clipboard Williams forehand into the net, 0-1. Joint sends a defensive backhand long, 1-1. Williams forehand return long, 1-2.  Joint forehand return goes long, 2-2. Williams forehand down the line winner, 3-2. Williams backhand down the line goes long, 3-3. 9:08PM Williams 3-6, 6-6 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Joint starts the game well with a forehand winner down the line. An ace makes it 40-0. And another ace wins the game. Tie-break time folks! 9:08PM Both players are getting quite antsy Link copied to clipboard I almost jinxed Serena again there, as she started that game with a pair of double-faults, but managed to escape. Both players are getting quite antsy now and there is a lot of frustrated gesturing going on after missed shots. 9:06PM Williams* 3-6, 6-5 Joint Link copied to clipboard Problems for Williams as she hits back-to-back double faults. The fans try to encourage her but it gets even uglier as she puts a forehand in the bottom of the net, three break points. Williams saves the first with a forehand winner down the line. And the second when Joint sprays a backhand return into the tramlines. Will Joint regret that? Yes. Another backhand return into the tramlines and Williams levels the game at deuce. Tired-looking forehand into the net by Williams gives Joint a fourth break point. Williams is forced onto the back foot, she has to defend and Joint blinks first when she sends a backhand long, deuce. Joint goes long with a forehand and Williams escapes. Can Joint send us into a tie-break? Williams earns herself at least a tie-break Credit: Maja Smiejkowska/AP 8:56PM Williams 3-6, 5-5 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Must-win game for Joint and she is finding enough first serves to keep Williams at bay. She moves 40-15 ahead and holds when Williams shanks a forehand return high into the stands. Resolute play from the 20-year-old. 8:54PM Great to see Serena bringing out her old clenched-fist celebration Link copied to clipboard This match is hotting up. The level is the highest it’s been. Great to see Serena bringing out her old clenched-fist celebration in that last game.  8:52PM Williams* 3-6, 5-4 Joint Link copied to clipboard The second set has been a topsy-turvy affair but Williams finally has the lead with a service hold to 15. Big pressure on Joint now to hold. Williams has been all over the returns and will look to attack. 8:49PM Williams 3-6, 4-4 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Drive forehand winner from Williams makes it 15-30. But to her immense frustration, she nets the return on the next point. A cry of anguish from Williams after dumping another backhand into the net, 40-30. Better from Williams, more controlled with the return and Joint goes long. Another deep Williams return catches out Joint and it’s break point. Change up from Williams, who hits a drop shot to drag Joint forward, Joint gets there but her reply is right in the hitting zone for Williams to put away the volley. Williams breaks again. Williams hits a volley against Joint Credit: John Walton/PA 8:43PM Williams* 3-6, 3-4 Joint Link copied to clipboard Good response from Joint as she starts the game with back-to-back winners, 0-30. Deep return by Joint and Williams puts a forehand into the tramlines, three break points. Williams saves the first with a much needed unreturned first serve. But she goes long with a backhand and Joint breaks straight back. 8:40PM Williams 3-6, 3-3 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Vintage stuff from Williams, pulling Joint wide, attacking the net and finishing expertly, 15-30. Easy to forget she is a multiple grand slam winning doubles champion. Too good from Joint as this time she pulls Williams around the court and finishes with a backhand winner. Rally of the match, both players hitting crunching forehand until Joint finishes with a cross court forehand winner, 40-30. Double fault from Joint keeps the game alive for Williams. Stunning cross court forehand pass by Williams catches the outside of the sideline, break point. Williams backhand winner down the line to break. The crowd are on their feet. Game on folks! 8:34PM Williams* 3-6, 2-3 Joint Link copied to clipboard A lot of questions about Williams’ comeback but it is clear she wants this badly. This isn’t a retirement tour. She is digging deep and doing whatever she can to stay in this. She holds again and puts the pressure back on Joint. Williams lets out a huge roar Credit: Andrew Matthews/PA 8:31PM Williams 3-6, 1-3 Joint* Link copied to clipboard A chance for Williams as Joint sends a forehand long, 15-30. Williams digs in, makes Joint play an extra ball and the Australian nets a forehand. Two break points for the American. Williams squanders the first with a forehand return in the net. Then Joint hammers down a 104mph wide ace to make it deuce. Back-to-back errors by Williams allows Joint to escape with the lead intact. The great secret about high-level tennis is that your hands are less important than your feet. Williams is striking some powerful, scudding strokes, particularly on the backhand side, but Joint is handling her expertly here. The ball back behind Williams, as she tries to recover towards the middle of the court, has been particularly effective. 8:26PM Williams* 3-6, 1-2 Joint Link copied to clipboard Williams ended the previous game well and she maintains it here, moving quickly to 40-0 and holding serve with a 108mph ace. She’s not going away just yet... 8:23PM Williams 3-6, 0-2 Joint* Link copied to clipboard We will get an idea of Williams’ fitness the longer this match goes on. At the moment, the energy levels seem low and Joint is dragging her side-to-side. I don’t think it is unkind to say the younger player, at the moment, has too much for the older player. But hang on. A vintage, blistering backhand return by Williams flies past Joint. Then Joint puts a backhand long to give Williams a break back point. Joint pulls Williams wide and the American nets a forehand, deuce. Both players are almost on one knee as they crush the ball as hard as they can. Smart shot by Joint back behind Williams and she consolidates the break.  Uphill task for Williams now. 8:16PM Second set: Williams* 3-6, 0-1 Joint Link copied to clipboard It has gone a little flat on Centre Court. Did the fans expect Joint to roll over? Maybe. Fair play to the Australian because she deserves her lead. Of course, this is a must-win set for Williams now and she makes a decent start, moving 40-15 ahead. But Joint overpowers her in another rally and pulls it back to deuce. Williams’ serve used to bail her out of trouble but Joint is playing with confidence and going after it. A forehand winner gives her a break point... Joint backhand winner down the line to break. 8:12PM A long road back for a 44-year-old Link copied to clipboard I think I jinxed Serena there. I was merely reporting the impressive performance of her serve, according to Wimbledon’s Tennis Insights service, and she promptly threw in two double-faults in the next game! That was very much the turning point in an otherwise tight set. A long road back for a 44-year-old now. 8:10PM Williams 3-6 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Massive game for Joint now. She’ll be desperate to get over the line at the first attempt and she is helped by a couple of errors from Williams, 30-15. Off-balance Williams strikes a forehand into the tramlines and Joint has a break point. Shaky forehand by Joint flies well long, to deuce we go. Second set point for Joint after Williams nets a return. And this time she gets it done with a wide serve and then a forehand winner deep into the corner. Williams never moved for it. Maya Joint stretches to hit a forehand Credit: Tolga Akmen/Shutterstock 8:07PM Williams* 3-5 Joint Link copied to clipboard Good return by Joint puts Williams off balance and she finishes with a backhand winner up the line, 15-30. Timely first serve by Williams and Joint’s return goes long, 30-30. Williams goes down the line with a forehand but it lands in the tramlines, break point Joint. Huge roar from Williams after Joint’s return is long, deuce.  Double fault by Williams gives Joint another break chance. This time Joint gets the return in play, goes on the attack and pushes Williams wide. Williams nets a backhand and Joint breaks. 8:02PM Williams’ serve up with the tournament’s best Link copied to clipboard Serena’s serve is scoring 8.7 on the performance analytics so far, which puts it in the top 10 per cent of the women’s draw. A timeless classic! Karolina Muchova, Elena Rybakina and Aryna Sabalenka lead the standings there. 8:01PM Williams 3-4 Joint* Link copied to clipboard Williams starting to grunt a little louder and take on Joint’s serve with the return. At her peak, she would intimidate opponents by standing inside the baseline. Haven’t seen that yet but if she does, that will be a worry for Joint. Slice of fortune for Williams after looking beaten in the rally, her backhand clips the net cord and flies past Joint, 40-30. Forehand from Williams goes long and Joint holds again. Entering the business end of the set now... 7:57PM Williams* 3-3 Joint Link copied to clipboard 121mph ace down the T by Williams to complete a service hold to 15. That will be slightly ominous for Joint... 7:56PM Joint has made a gritty beginning Link copied to clipboard Interesting start. Serena is indeed striking the ball sweetly but, as expected, is not exactly lightning around the court. Joint has made a gritty beginning, assuaging fears that she might be overwhelmed by the occasion. On the downside, Joint’s forehand is really not a very convincing shot. I’ve got “Forehand long” written all over my match notes to date. Even so, then she comes up with a couple of winners on that side to get out of a 15-40 corner and hold serve. 7:54PM Williams 2-3 Joint* Link copied to clipboard First loose game from Joint and that gives a chance to Williams. A double fault by Joint makes it 15-40. Joint saves the first when Williams nets and then the second with an emphatic forehand winner down the line. Back-to-back winner from Joint and she comes through that scare to hold serve. 7:48PM Williams* 2-2 Joint Link copied to clipboard First ace of the match for Williams, 30-0. 109mph. The speed is starting to rise. She’s also taking big swings at the ball because so far she hasn’t managed to overpower Joint. Joint will be feeling comfortable with what is coming at her.  Williams battles her way through another service game to level the match. Venus Williams and her husband Andrea Preti watch from Serena’s box Credit: Maja Smiejkowska/AP 7:43PM Williams 1-2 Joint* Link copied to clipboard First extended rally of the match goes Joint’s way as they go toe-to-toe from the baseline. Joint earns a love hold of her own to maintain the lead and she has shown very few nerves so far. Interesting start. Serena is indeed striking the ball sweetly but, as expected, is not exactly lightning around the court. Joint has made a gritty beginning, assuaging fears that she might be overwhelmed by the occasion. Only two points against the serve in the first three games. 7:41PM Williams* 1-1 Joint Link copied to clipboard Williams’ first serve of the match is 102mph. Not particularly fast but perhaps she needs warming up before the power returns. At her peak, the serve was a devastating weapon. If she feels confident and can hold easily, she will be in with a good chance of winning tonight. A love hold to start the match is as good an opening as you could ask for. Serena Williams’ husband Alexis Ohanian and her child Adira applaud at the start Credit: Henry Nicholls/Getty Images 7:37PM First set: Serena Williams 0-1 Maya Joint* (*denotes server) Link copied to clipboard How must Joint be feeling? It will be a partisan crowd in favour of Williams throughout. A couple of nervy backhands by Joint fly long and Williams leads 15-30. Credit to the young Aussie, she responds and moves 40-30 ahead and holds when Williams nets a backhand. Good start by Joint. 7:31PM ‘Fans are beside themselves’ Link copied to clipboard Huge standing ovation for Serena’s walk-on. Can’t remember anyone but Andy Murray and Roger Federer receiving a reception like that here. The fans are beside themselves. 7:30PM She’s back! Link copied to clipboard ‘Let’s go Serena’. I have a feeling we are going to hear a lot of that tonight from the spectators. A deafening roar greets the players as they walk onto a nearly full Centre Court. With the roof over, the atmosphere will be electric. Williams’ daughters are both in the player box watching on as their mum warms up. Serena Williams is back on court to a standing ovation and in front of her children and sister Venus#wimbledon #sw19 #serenawilliams pic.twitter.com/0FZaOsZ0F0 — Sonia Twigg (@twiggsonia) June 30, 2026 7:25PM Williams: ‘I returned to tennis so my kids can watch me play’ Link copied to clipboard “It’s really about my kids getting to see me play. Olympia [who is eight] is a little bit older, Adira [two] is very young, but it’s also still [about] moments like that. “It’s also just [being] an athlete is the best thing that you can be, in the highest place. Having an opportunity to still be able to possibly do that one last time is cool and exciting. It’s summer, the kids aren’t in school, so it’s a perfect time to get out there and just have fun and see what happens.” Williams with her daughter Alexis Olympia Ohanian Jr. and husband Alexis Ohanian  Credit: Jan Kruger/Getty Images 7:21PM Boost for Serena Link copied to clipboard The roof is closing on Centre Court, in keeping with the rules and regs that apply to any matches which start later than 7.15pm. That will probably help Serena, because it will amplify the noise.  The loudest I have ever heard Centre was when she played Heather Watson under the roof here in 2015. 7:17PM Who is Maya Joint? Link copied to clipboard Williams is a household name but Joint will be an unknown to most people this evening. Here are some quick facts: Joint is making her second main draw appearance at Wimbledon, after losing in the first round last yearHer career-best result on grass is winning the title at Eastbourne in 2025, beating Emma Raducanu along the wayShe is seeking her first tour-level win since reaching the Adelaide quarter-finals in January, which is her best tournament finish this yearJoint, who is ranked 87 in the world, has lost her last 11 Tour-level matches Maya Joint has struggled for form this season Credit: Charlie Crowhurst/Getty Images 7:10PM Williams’ last point on Centre Court, four years ago Link copied to clipboard WHAT A MOMENT, WHAT A WIN! 🤩 Harmony Tan has beaten Serena Williams in the first round.#Wimbledon #BBCTennis pic.twitter.com/5AxKEKzql4 — BBC Sport (@BBCSport) June 28, 2022 7:00PM Serena back at Wimbledon Link copied to clipboard Hello and welcome to coverage from Wimbledon for a match which didn’t look likely one month ago. Serena Williams will shortly be walking onto Centre Court for her first grand slam singles match in nearly four years when she plays Australia’s Maya Joint for a place in the second round. The All England Club handed the 23-time grand slam winner a wild card into the singles and doubles, where she will play with sister Venus. The last time Williams played at Wimbledon, she lost in the first round to Harmony Tan in 2022, also as a wild card, and last won a singles match at Wimbledon in 2019 when she was runner-up to Simona Halep. “In general, my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career,” she told reporters on Sunday. “I feel like my feelings are just — not that I never enjoyed it before, or else I wouldn’t ‌be here today — ‌but I feel like I’m ⁠really going to enjoy being out there.” Despite her long absence from the sport, Williams will have cause for belief against 20-year-old Joint, who has had a dismal year on the WTA Tour, losing 15 of the 18 singles matches she has played in 2026. She only has two doubles matches under her belt since announcing her comeback last month, winning one at Queen’s Club and losing the other in Berlin, but has enjoyed plenty of time on the practice courts in SW19. “I can’t say I had a lot of emotions, only because I think I was in Queen’s earlier and I was in London and I was on the grass,” she said. “So for here, it was more like, OK, I’ve been doing this for a couple of weeks. It was kind of like riding a bike. I didn’t feel a ton of stuff yet. Obviously when I play, I might have a lot of things come up.”