Serena Williams’ Wimbledon return ended in a first-round defeat on Centre Court as Australia’s Maya Joint edged the seven-time champion, while Stan Wawrinka’s final Wimbledon appearance concluded with a four-tie-break loss to Matteo Berrettini. Elsewhere on day two of Wimbledon 2026, Iga Swiatek and Alexander Zverev progressed, with Elena Rybakina also among the notable first-round winners.
Williams, playing her first singles match in nearly four years, came up just short after forcing a deciding set. On No 1 Court, Wawrinka and Berrettini produced an absorbing contest defined by extended tie-break drama, including a 34-point breaker in the second set.
Williams’ comeback ends in a three-set Centre Court battle
Williams began her return under the closed roof on Centre Court, with the crowd staying in their seats between matches as anticipation built. Her opponent Joint, a 20-year-old Australian, held in the opening game after Williams won the first point of the match, and the early stages developed with neither player fully settling into a serving rhythm.
The first set turned on a costly service game from Williams. She struck double faults in game eight, allowing Joint the chance to break, and Williams then netted to hand her opponent the advantage. Joint served out the set at 5-3, finishing with a “one-two punch” to take it, leaving Williams needing a response.
Williams did find it, showing the resilience that defined her career. After falling behind early in the second set, she faced four break points in a single game and repeatedly resisted, saving chances with a combination of strong serving and decisive first-strike tennis. The hold drew what was described as the biggest roar from the Centre Court crowd so far.
Momentum swung again when Williams claimed her first break of the match from deuce with back-to-back forehand winners, prompting a loud “COME ONNNNN!!!” and a fist pump as she pulled the crowd into the contest. The set tightened into a tie-break, and Williams produced a key sequence at match point down: a big serve followed by stepping in to finish the short ball, saving the match point. She then created her own set point and converted when Joint pushed a rally ball long, sending the match to a third set.
Joint recovered immediately in the decider, escaping the opening game from 15-40 down. Williams continued to push, but the third set became a test of nerve and execution in key moments. Joint held for 3-2 and then broke in a rapid Williams service game that ran 0-15, 0-30, 0-40, turning the pressure sharply back onto the 44-year-old.
Williams had a chance to steady herself but missed a regulation backhand on game point at 40-30, letting Joint back into the game. At deuce, Joint struck a backhand cross-court return winner, then benefited from a mis-hit that landed on the baseline for an unlikely winner, compounding Williams’ frustration.
Joint eventually reached match point again from 30-all, around half an hour after her first match point in the second-set tie-break. This time, she double-faulted to bring it back to deuce, but responded with an ace to earn a third match point. On that point, Williams’ return went long, ending her Wimbledon singles comeback in the first round. The live account noted Williams would rue a missed backhand at 2-1 in the final set, and that she lost five of the last six games after being close to moving ahead.
Wawrinka says goodbye as Berrettini survives four tie-break sets
While much of the spotlight was on Centre Court, Wawrinka v Berrettini delivered a marathon of fine margins on No 1 Court. With no breaks of serve for long stretches, the match became a tie-break showcase, including a second-set breaker that stretched to 34 points.
Berrettini ultimately won 6-7 (9), 7-6 (16), 7-6 (7), 7-6 (5) to reach the second round, with the decisive moments arriving in the breakers. In the second-set tie-break, Wawrinka held a 12-11 lead before Berrettini levelled at 12-12, and later in the same breaker Berrettini reached set point at 8-7 before Wawrinka double-faulted, a pivotal error in a match where chances were scarce.
After the final point, Berrettini shared a warm embrace with Wawrinka at the net and encouraged the crowd to cheer for his opponent before sitting down and taking a long breath. Wawrinka, reflecting on the moment, said: “I don’t want to retire but I know it’s time… It’s not easy to say goodbye to something you love so much, but I couldn’t have dreamt of a better goodbye. Thank you so much.”
Beyond the headline exits, the day also brought first-round wins for Swiatek, Zverev and Rybakina, with other winners including Amanda Anisimova, Taylor Fritz, Alex de Minaur, Grigor Dimitrov, Jasmine Paolini and Madison Keys. Among those going out were Ben Shelton, Elina Svitolina, and Queen’s champions Francisco Cerundolo and Donna Vekic, while Britain had reasons to celebrate as Katie Swan, Jacob Fearnley, Arthur Fery and Jan Choinski all progressed.