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Serena Williams Loses First Wimbledon Singles Match in Four Years

7/3/2026

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Summary

Story summary

Serena Williams, 44, lost to Maya Joint 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 in Wimbledon’s first-round singles, her first singles match in nearly four years.
The match averaged 1.8 million viewers on ESPN, peaking at 2.1 million, while Day 2 coverage reached 937,000 viewers—a 55 % rise and ESPN’s highest Day 2 Wimbledon audience.
Williams reported a right-knee tweak after the first set and will play doubles with sister Venus on Saturday.

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Story summary

Serena Williams, 44, lost to Maya Joint 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 in Wimbledon’s first-round singles, her first singles match in nearly four years.
The match averaged 1.8 million viewers on ESPN, peaking at 2.1 million, while Day 2 coverage reached 937,000 viewers—a 55 % rise and ESPN’s highest Day 2 Wimbledon audience.
Williams reported a right-knee tweak after the first set and will play doubles with sister Venus on Saturday.