Serena Williams is back at Wimbledon, which is not exactly a normal sentence to read in 2026.
The seven-time Wimbledon singles champion returns to Centre Court on Tuesday, June 30, for her first professional singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open. Williams, 44, will face 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint in the first round, marking one of the biggest early moments of this year’s tournament before she has even played a point.
Williams last played a Wimbledon singles match in 2022, when she lost in the first round to Harmony Tan. A few months later, she stepped away from tennis after the U.S. Open, describing the move as “evolving” away from the sport rather than retiring in the traditional sense.
Now, after easing back into competition through doubles earlier this month, she is returning to the singles draw at the All England Club. And this time, she has made it clear that the goal is not to recreate the pressure of her prime.
“As of now, I’m not nervous,” Williams said ahead of the match, adding that her expectation is to stay calm, take it easy, and have fun.
Read below for how to watch, match timing, and what to know about Williams’ Wimbledon return.
Where to watch Serena Williams at Wimbledon
Serena Williams’ first-round match against Maya Joint is airing on ESPN in the United States.
Viewers can also stream Wimbledon coverage through the ESPN app, with individual court streams available through ESPN Unlimited. ESPN coverage is also available through select live TV streaming services that carry the network.
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Outside the U.S., Wimbledon coverage varies by country. In the U.K., matches are available across the BBC, including BBC One, BBC Two, BBC iPlayer, and BBC Sport. International viewers can check Wimbledon’s official TV coverage guide for the broadcaster in their region.
What time does Serena Williams play at Wimbledon?
Williams is scheduled to play Maya Joint on Tuesday, June 30, as the third match on Centre Court.
Centre Court play begins at 8:30 a.m. ET with Taylor Townsend vs. Iga Świątek, followed by Alexander Blockx vs. Alexander Zverev. Williams vs. Joint will begin after those two matches are finished, so the exact start time depends on how long the earlier matches run.
As of now, the match is expected around midday ET, but Wimbledon scheduling can shift quickly.
Who is Serena Williams playing?
Williams will face Maya Joint, a 20-year-old Australian player who turned pro in 2021.
Joint is part of the younger generation that grew up watching Williams dominate tennis, which adds an obvious layer to the matchup. For Williams, it is a return to a court where she has made history. For Joint, it is a first-round match that suddenly became one of the most-watched of the tournament. No pressure.
When was Serena Williams’ last singles match?
Williams’ last professional singles match came at the 2022 U.S. Open, where she lost to Ajla Tomljanović in the third round.
Her last Wimbledon singles match came earlier that same year, when she lost to Harmony Tan in the first round. Since then, Williams has had a second child, expanded her business life, and largely moved into a post-tennis chapter before this comeback.
How many times has Serena Williams won Wimbledon?
Williams has won seven Wimbledon singles titles, with victories in 2002, 2003, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2015, and 2016.
She has also won six Wimbledon women’s doubles titles with her sister Venus Williams. The sisters are expected to reunite in doubles at Wimbledon later this week.
