Serena Williams made her return to singles play at Wimbledon on Tuesday, losing in the first round to Maya Joint 3-6, 7-6, 3-6. ESPN’s Chris Fowler in the middle of the second set said, “It hasn’t been a kind of raucous home crowd like it would be at the U.S. Open. It’s been a very fair crowd here. But clearly they want to see more from Serena.” ESPN’s Mary Joe Fernandez later in the set said, “Regardless of what happens in this match, how much fun is this?” Fowler: “What a gift for the sport” (“Wimbledon,” ESPN, 6/30).
Williams walked out to the court carrying a red Wilson tennis bag despite reportedly having yet to finalize a new contract with her longtime racquet sponsor. Williams, wearing an outfit from longtime sponsor Nike, also walked out with a bejeweled white bag with an embroidered “W” on it (SBJ). Williams received “a standing ovation” as she walked on court. The ESPN broadcast then panned to Williams’ box, which consisted of her husband Alexis Ohanian and her daughters Olympia and Adira (THE ATHLETIC, 6/30).
There were a number of famous faces in attendance to see Williams’ return, including her sister, Venus Williams; Inter Miami co-owner David Beckham and son Romeo; director Judd Apatow, wife Leslie Mann and daughter and actress Maude Apatow. Musician Niall Horan and actress Maura Higgins “were also spotted” (PAGE SIX, 6/30).
