Wimbledon begins Monday — including matches featuring Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, Aryna Sabalenka and Coco Gauff, among others — but the main event comes Tuesday.
That is when Serena Williams will play her first singles match since the 2022 U.S. Open, marking one of the most anticipated first-round matches in grand slam history. The 44-year-old, 23-time grand slam champion — who also will be playing doubles at Wimbledon with her sister Venus — will begin her comeback against Michigan native Maya Joint. The 20-year-old, who plays under Australia’s flag, is ranked No. 53 and made her debut at Wimbledon last year, losing in the first round.
“It’s an honor. I always dreamed about playing Serena Williams,” Joint said. “If you told me 10 years ago that I’d be playing her first round at Wimbledon, that’s just crazy.”
In Williams’ absence, her legend has only grown. But how will reality compare with our memories?