Williams loses three-set match to Joint on Wimbledon singles return

Serena Williams returned to singles competition at the All England Club on Tuesday and lost a three-set match to Maya Joint after saving one match point. The 44-year-old American trailed 6-3 in the opening set before winning the second set in a tie-break and forcing a deciding set. Joint closed out a 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3 victory on her first match point of the third set.

She showed improved movement after an early deficit and twice came back from a break down in the second set. Joint, an Australian ranked outside the top 100, recorded her first win at the event. The 20-year-old said afterward that she had been nervous and had forgotten parts of her warm-up routine.

“I didn't get much sleep last night, I was up until 2am just thinking about it. Walking out, I forgot the warm-up, my legs weren't moving.”

Williams issued a written statement after the match instead of attending the required press conference.

“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing.”

schedule Williams had played doubles earlier in the month at other events. She is scheduled to compete in doubles later this week alongside her sister. Joint had lost her previous 11 WTA-level matches before Tuesday's result.