Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon despite knee injury

Serena Williams, 44, played her first professional singles match in nearly four years at Wimbledon, losing a competitive three‑set match to 20‑year‑old Australian Maya Joint. Shortly after the match it was disclosed that Williams had tweaked her right knee, which also forced her to withdraw from the doubles draw with her sister Venus.

Williams said she returned “just for fun” and that she has “nothing to prove,” while fans and commentators noted her résumé of 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 319 weeks at world No. 1. The brief comeback has already sparked expectations that she will attempt a return at the U.S. Open later this year.

Her appearance also highlighted her earlier advocacy for rule changes benefiting tennis mothers, stemming from her 2017 maternity‑leave period and subsequent campaigns for more flexible return policies.