Serena Williams is set to face 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the first round of Wimbledon, marking her return to the grass-court Grand Slam for the first time since 2021. The draw was announced Friday, June 26, 2026, at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London.
Williams Returns to Wimbledon After Hiatus
Williams, a seven-time Wimbledon champion, has not competed at the tournament since 2021 due to injury and a break from tennis. The 43-year-old American legend is unseeded this year, having fallen to No. 85 in the WTA rankings after a limited schedule. Her opponent, Maya Joint, is ranked No. 112 and will be making her Wimbledon main-draw debut.
Joint, who turned professional in 2024, has won two ITF titles this year and reached the third round of the Australian Open in January. She is known for her aggressive baseline game and powerful forehand. According to Joint's coach, Peter Smith, “Maya is excited for the challenge. Playing Serena on Centre Court is a dream come true.”
Historic Matchup Between Generations
The match highlights a 23-year age gap, one of the largest in Wimbledon history. Williams is seeking her 24th Grand Slam singles title, which would tie Margaret Court's all-time record. She has not won a major since the 2017 Australian Open.
Williams has a strong record at Wimbledon, with 98 wins and 12 losses. She last played at the tournament in 2021, where she retired in the first round due to a hamstring injury. Her return has generated significant buzz, with ticket sales for the first Monday surging 40% after the draw, according to the All England Club.
Joint Aims to Upset Legend
Maya Joint, a rising star from Melbourne, has been training on grass for the past two weeks. She said in a press conference, “I grew up watching Serena. To share the court with her is incredible, but I’m here to win.” Joint has a 15-8 record on grass this season, including a semifinal appearance at the Nottingham Open.
The match is scheduled for Monday, June 29, on Centre Court. Williams is the favorite, but Joint's youth and form could pose a challenge. The winner will face either No. 32 seed Marie Bouzkova or qualifier Harriet Dart in the second round.
