Serena Williams, a 23-time Grand Slam tennis champion, lost in the opening round of Wimbledon to 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia. Williams, 44, was beaten 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 in her first professional singles match in nearly four years.
Williams’ Comeback
Williams, who has a record 98 career victories in singles on the hallowed grass of the All England Club, was given wild card invitations by Wimbledon organizers to play singles and also doubles with older sister Venus. Her doubles match will come later in the week.
Williams has said that having her two daughters off from school inspired her comeback and it marked the first time that her youngest daughter, Adria, who is almost three, saw her play singles. Adira sat next to her eight-year-old sister, Olympia in the front row of Serena’s players’ box.
Williams displayed the same powerful serve and heavy groundstrokes that led her to seven Wimbledon singles titles but the 87th-ranked Joint was able to handle the American standout’s pace and win more of the big points by hitting beyond Williams’ reach on Centre Court.
Original reporting: KOCO Sports (Oklahoma City) — read the source article.
