Serena Williams was beaten by Australian teenager Maya Joint in her first Wimbledon singles match in four years.
The 23-time Grand Slam champion lost 6-3, 6-7 (8-6), 6-3 after battling for more than two hours on Centre Court.
Williams, 44, saved a match point in the second-set tie-break to force a deciding set and showed flashes of the form that made her one of tennis’ greatest players. However, Joint regained control in the final set to seal the biggest win of her career.
“I really don’t know what to say! I don’t know what just happened, to be honest,” Joint said after the match.
She added: “I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was up until like 2am just thinking about it.”
Williams stunned the tennis world earlier this month by announcing her return to the sport after retiring four years ago. The American avoided many top seeds in the draw, raising hopes of a memorable run at her favourite Grand Slam.
Although her singles campaign is over, Williams is set to return to the court later this week when she teams up with her sister, Venus Williams, in the doubles event.
