Earlier this summer, Serena Williams stunned the sporting world when she announced she’d be returning to tennis.
Then, that shock returned just weeks later when it was revealed that the legendary American star would also be competing in singles at Wimbledon, her first match in that discipline in nearly four years.
Her comeback had been so sudden and meteoric, and already, here she was, striding onto a floodlit Centre Court preparing to face Maya Joint in the first round.
Many argued that Serena Williams could not have been given a greater draw to mark her return, and yet the Aussie impressed despite the entire stadium, and those watching at home, all longing for her defeat.
Speaking to Flashscore, Joint has since recalled that clash, explaining the knock-on benefits she has enjoyed since beating one of the greatest of all time.
Maya Joint recalls her Wimbledon win over Serena Williams
“I think the match against Serena really helped me,” she began, just over three weeks to the day of their showdown.
The 6-3, 6-7, 6-3 scoreline was indicative of a hard-fought battle, made even more impressive given the fact that Joint was enduring an 11-match losing streak before that clash.
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She alluded to this apparent lack of confidence in this interview, explaining how her win over Serena has changed all that.
Joint continued: “Specifically, it definitely boosted my confidence. Every player probably goes through this at some point in their career, but I really had a tough start to the year and quite a long losing streak. And then this challenge came along… In the end, I beat her. And that match helped me believe I could start winning again.”
“It was such a surreal experience! What can I say…? But I think it was right there that I proved to myself I could play at a high level again.”
A stunned Joint spoke on court straight after the match, seeking to rationalise what she had just accomplished. She would go on to lose in just the second round against Alex Eala.
What’s next for Serena Williams?
As remarkable as her comeback at Wimbledon was, very few actually expected her to be instantly competitive.
She is widely seen as the greatest female tennis player of all time, but four years out of the professional game is more than enough to rust even the finest of athletes.
Fortunately, this only really felt like the precursor to something bigger coming down the line, perhaps later this summer.
After all, many are expecting to see Williams compete on multiple fronts in New York, across the singles, mixed and ladies doubles with her sister, Venus.
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The injury that Serena suffered at Wimbledon has somewhat thrown that future into doubt, as she now faces a race against time to be fit.
So, as for what is next for the 44-year-old, it is rapid rehab and hoping for the best as she hopes to be able to at least play a preparatory event or two before returning to New York.
