Serena Williams vs Maya Joint LIVE: Wimbledon legend, 44, returns for first match in four years

Serena Williams returns to Wimbledon and makes a stunning return to singles action at the age of 44.

Williams will play Australia’s Maya Joint in her first singles match since the 2022 US Open, having only returned to the sport earlier this month and playing just two doubles matches.

The 23-time grand slam champion and mother of two admitted she will be “nervous” as she makes her long-awaited return, and said she will have “no expectations” when she plays the world No 87.

Elsewhere, wildcard Katie Swan sealed the first win for a British player of this year’s Championships after a devastating opening day on Monday. British wildcard Arthur Fery joined her, after overcoming a spectacular collapse from a furious Damir Dzumhur, and there was also a win for Jacob Fearnley.

Wimbledon has also seen its biggest shock of the tournament so far, with qualifier Otto Virtanen knocking out fourth seed Ben Shelton in a match tiebreak. Virtanen saved match point as he won 11-9 in the decider, and will now play Fery in the second round.

Follow latest scores and updates from Wimbledon, below

Read More

Arthur Fery confronted by opponent in spectacular Wimbledon meltdown: ‘Be honest!’

Ben Shelton blows Wimbledon opportunity in ‘one of the toughest losses of my career’

Defending champion Iga Swiatek survives almighty Taylor Townsend scare

15 defeats, three wins: Follow the progress of the 21 British players at Wimbledon

Wimbledon LIVE: Latest tennis scores and updates

• Serena Williams, 44, returns to singles action at Wimbledon against Maya Joint
• Williams has not played a singles match in four years but accepted wildcard
• Williams up next on Centre Court after four-set victory for Alexander Zverev
• Emotional champion Iga Swiatek survives scare against Taylor Townsend
• Fourth seed Ben Shelton crashes out after defeat to qualifier Otto Virtanen
• Katie Swan notches first British win after 10 losses on nightmare day one

Serena Williams 2-2 Maya Joint*

19:47 , Jamie Braidwood

A 109mph ace from Serena Williams out wide. She’s still got it. I’ve got to say, she’s looking a lot more comfortable so far playing singles than I expected, having seen her play doubles at Queen’s a couple of weeks ago.

Joint, though, is not making Williams move out of her hitting zone. She puts a forehand long, and Williams holds.

*Serena Williams 1-2 Maya Joint

19:44 , Jamie Braidwood

At 44, Serena Williams is the fourth-oldest player to appear in a women’s grand slam main draw, and second-oldest at Wimbledon after Martina Navratilova in 2004.

Maya Joint has to move her around, you would think. Williams fires out on a couple of points in a row, as Joint holds to love. It’s been a decent start from the 20-year-old, who arrived short on confidence.

Serena Williams 1-1 Maya Joint*

19:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Serena Williams still has a beautiful service motion, capable of incredible power. But she’s also got the touch! A wonderful backhand lob beats Joint after she had scampered forward. Perfect. Williams holds to love.

*Serena Williams 0-1 Maya Joint

19:37 , Jamie Braidwood

How are the nerves, Maya Joint? The 20-year-old Australian, having lost 11 matches in a row, is serving first. She throws in a couple of early errors. Serena Williams, though, is looking alert, and lively the baseline. There’s some rust, too, though. Williams finds the next on the backhand, on a couple of points in a row. Joint holds to start.

*denotes next server

Serena Williams 0-0 Maya Joint

19:33 , Flo Clifford

A deafening roar and shouts of “Serena!” greet the players as they walk out, which nearly takes the roof off. A lone shout of “Let’s go Serena!” gets another huge cheer. Then another cheer as the American great heads to the baseline to warm up. Maya Joint might be in for a long night.

Serena Williams walks back on Centre Court

19:27 , Jamie Braidwood

Serena Williams is wearing a glittering white tracksuit, with studded jewels on her white top and tennis skirt glittering as she prepares to walk out on Centre Court.

And listen to that reception. The doors swing open as Maya Joint (imagine being in her shoes right now) leads the 23-time grand slam champion onto Centre Court.

Williams has her two daughters in her players’ box, so is Venus Williams. She removes her headphones and Centre Court erupts.

All eyes on Serena Williams ahead of Wimbledon return

19:26 , Jamie Braidwood

The unprecedented nature of this comeback, after two children and four years away, means no one, even Serena Williams, knows what to expect.

Novak Djokovic called her comeback "inspirational" and "epic", and claimed he has seen Williams spending more time in the gym than she did during her prime. "In general my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career," she said.

Having already secured a doubles wildcard to rekindle her partnership with older sister Venus, Williams left her decision on whether to accept Wimbledon’s offer to play singles as well to the last minute.

As she mulled it over, a voice popped into her head. “I was like, What's wrong with me? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this.

“When I revolved or evolved, I had never thought I'd come back.”

What has Serena Williams said ahead of her singles return?

19:23 , Flo Clifford

“I thought it’s not every day Wimbledon holds a wild card for someone. I can name probably like a handful of people. I happened to be one of those people. I thought I should really take this opportunity. Who knows if I'll ever make it here again. This could be it.

“I was like, What's wrong with me, Serena? What are you thinking? Are you nuts? Like you really should do this. People live to be an athlete. I have this great opportunity to showcase what I do, what I do best. I was like that is pretty cool, so I should do it.

Who is Maya Joint? Serena Williams' opponent on Wimbledon comeback

19:20 , Jamie Braidwood

The 20-year-old Australian is currently ranked 87th in the world, with a career-high ranking of 28, but has lost her last 11 tour-level matches. A former champion on grass at Eastbourne last year, Joint is making just her second appearance at Wimbledon having yet to make it past the first round, while she has only reached the second round of a grand slam on one occasion. Born in 2006, when Williams was already a seven-time grand slam champion. The American won a further 16 grand slam titles in her lifetime.

The roof is closing for Serena Williams' comeback

19:19 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s going to be 7:30pm local time when Serena Williams returns to court, and the roof will be closed on Centre Court. The atmosphere will be electric.

Serena Williams’ comeback so far

19:15 , Flo Clifford

The pair won their first-round match against third seeds Nicole Melichar-Martinez and Erin Routliffe, but injury for Mboko prevented a second.

The Canadian teenager slipped on the grass during her singles match the following day, suffering a left knee injury that forced her to withdraw from Wimbledon.

Williams then headed to Berlin and played a further doubles match with Karolina Muchova, but they lost to Giuliana Olmos and Routliffe in the first round.

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Alexander Zverev through to third round

19:07 , Jamie Braidwood

It was close all the way through, then Alexander Zverev raised his level and snuffed out the threat of Alexander Blockx. It finishes 6-4 6-7 7-6 7-6. The score in the fourth-set tiebreak? 7-0.

Now, it’s time for Serena Williams. In about 20 minutes or so, she will return to Centre Court.

Kind words from Zverev after the match. Blockx is certainly one to watch. “Incredible person, incredible player. He’ll be back on this incredible court.”

Serena Williams’ comeback so far

19:00 , Flo Clifford

When asked during an appearance at the Berlin Open whether she would have been interested in the last remaining Wimbledon wildcard earlier this month, Williams sounded coy.

“Oh my gosh, there’s some left?” she asked. “Well I better get to practice! You think I’m ready for singles? I need to get to work.”

Williams made her long-awaited return to tennis for the first time since 2022 when she played doubles with Victoria Mboko at Queen’s in London.

Alexander Zverev hands the break straight back

18:47 , Jamie Braidwood

Groans around Centre Court. Alexander Zverev double faults twice in one game, including on break point, to hand the break straight back to Alexander Blockx. It remains level, at 3-3 in the fourth.

Alexander Zverev makes a break in the fourth set

18:45 , Jamie Braidwood

That could be crucial. Alexander Zverev has broken Alexander Blockx’s serve for the first time since the fourth set. The French Open champion leads 3-2 and is just three games away from the second round.

You would imagine Wimbledon will close the roof now for the third match of the day between Williams and Joint.

Elina Svitolina latest big name to fall

18:37 , Flo Clifford

From 4-0 up in the first set eighth seed Elina Svitolina has had a shocker, losing 7-5 6-2 to compatriot Daria Snigur.

That makes her the top-ranked women’s seed to fall so far.

Ben Shelton blows Wimbledon opportunity in ‘one of the toughest losses of my career’

18:30 , Jamie Braidwood

Ben Shelton described his Wimbledon first-round defeat to Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen as “one of the toughest losses” of his career.

The fourth seed became the biggest casualty of the first round as he lost a fifth-set tiebreak to the world No 140, losing 6-4, 3-6, 6-7(8), 6-2, 7-6 (11-9) after more than four hours on the court.

The 23-year-old Shelton arrived at Wimbledon ranked at a career-high fifth in the world after winning the title at the Wimbledon warm-up event at Stuttgart. He was viewed as one of the contenders for the title, or at least tipped to reach his first grand slam final after landing on the opposite side of the draw as world No 1 Jannik Sinner, who beat him in last year’s quarter-finals, and 24-time grand slam winner Novak Djokovic.

Ben Shelton blows Wimbledon opportunity in ‘one of the toughest losses of my career’

Alexander Zverev wins third set against Alexander Blockx

18:24 , Jamie Braidwood

In a nervy tiebreak, featuring many double faults, Alexander Zverev surges clear of Alexander Blockx to win the third-set decider 7-5 and move a set away from the second round.

If Zverev can close this out in four sets, Serena Williams will be making her comeback within the hour.

Toby Samuel falls to Jakub Mensik in five sets

18:17 , Flo Clifford

A five-set thriller has just come to a close on Court 3, with Britain’s Toby Samuel narrowly missing out on a place in the second round.

He played a brilliant match against in-form 15th seed Jakub Mensik, the French Open semi-finalist, but ultimately fell in a match tiebreak: 7-5 3-6 3-6 6-3 6-7(7).

The pair embrace at the net before Mensik roars with relief. What a match.

When is Serena Williams playing doubles at Wimbledon with Venus?

18:00 , Flo Clifford

The Williams sisters last played doubles together at the 2022 US Open. Venus Williams, who is 46, plays sporadically but still sometimes accepts wildcards into grand slams.

Together, Serena and Venus have won six Wimbledon doubles titles, a record they share with Suzanne Lenglen and Elizabeth Ryan, and their last title came in 2016.

With a combined age of 90, the Williams sisters will play their first-round doubles match on either Thursday 2 July or Friday 3 July at the start of the women’s doubles tournament.

The Williams sisters will play the unseeded South American pair Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the first round. Osorio, from Colombia, and Sierra, from Argentina, will be playing as a duo for the first time.

Alexander Blockx wins second set against Alexander Zverev

17:39 , Jamie Braidwood

It’s going to be a late night on Centre Court at this rate! Alexander Blockx, the dangerous Belgian, has won a second-set tiebreak to level the match against Alexander Zverev, the French Open champion.

That will delay the start to Serena Williams’ match, which is next on Centre.

Former Wimbledon champion Elena Rybakina given scare by Lois Boisson

17:08 , Jamie Braidwood

Elena Rybakina survives a scare against Lois Boisson, the Frenchwoman who enjoyed a remarkable run to the Roland Garros semi-finals as a wildcard last year.

Boisson was dangerous, forcing a third set, and Rybakina benefitted from the Frenchwoman slipping in the third set and requiring a medical timeout.

Rybakina’s serve got through it. She wins 6-4 1-6 6-3 and the second seed advances.

Ben Shelton is the first top-10 seed to fall

17:02 , Jamie Braidwood

Ben Shelton reached the quarter-finals at Wimbledon last year and had a real opportunity to progress and landing in the opposite side of the draw to both Jannik Sinner, who beat him last year, and Novak Djokovic.

Otto Virtanen, meanwhile, will play British wildcard Arthur Fery in the second round. That’s an excellent opportunity for both players to reach the third round of a grand slam for the first time.

UPSET ALERT! Ben Shelton crashes out of Wimbledon!

16:52 , Jamie Braidwood

A major upset on Court No 2 as qualifier Otto Virtanen knocks out fourth seed Ben Shelton in a match tiebreak!

Shelton had match point himself, but found the net. Virtanen survived, then won the match himself when Shelton put a forehand long. Virtanen wins 6-3 3-6 6-7 6-2 7-6 (11-9) in the upset of the tournament so far.

Shelton was an outside contender in the wide-open bottom half of the draw. Virtanen continues his run from qualifying with his fourth win in a row at SW19!

Who is Maya Joint?

16:30 , Flo Clifford

The 20-year-old Australian is currently ranked 87th in the world, with a career-high ranking of 28, but has lost her last 11 tour-level matches.

A former champion on grass at Eastbourne last year, Joint is making just her second appearance at Wimbledon having yet to make it past the first round, while she has only reached the second round of a grand slam on one occasion.

She was born in 2006, when Williams was already a seven-time grand slam champion. The American won a further 16 grand slam titles in her lifetime.

Jacob Fearnley seals third British win on day two

16:28 , Jamie Braidwood

That’s a lovely win for Jacob Fearney, who prevails from two sets down to beat Alex Michelsen 3-6 4-6 6-2 6-3 6-2.

After breaking into the top 50 after a rapid rise a couple of years ago, and taking a set off Novak Djokovic on Centre Court, backing up his breakthrough has been a struggle for the 24-year-old Scot.

Before Wimbledon, he had won only two matches on tour during an injury-hit season and he has dropped out of the top 100. This is a boost to his confidence.

When is Serena Williams playing singles at Wimbledon?

16:20 , Flo Clifford

Williams will play her first-round match against Maya Joint, the world No 53, on Tuesday 30 July. It will be the final match of the day on Centre Court, following the defending champion Iga Swiatek and French Open champion Alexander Zverev’s opener against Alexander Blockx.

Swiatek’s match went to three sets and there will now be a best-of-five set match between Zverev and Blockx. Williams could be therefore be in action on Tuesday evening, at around 7pm BST (2pm ET).

Iga Swiatek survives almighty Taylor Townsend scare in unconvincing start to Wimbledon title defence

16:12 , Flo Clifford

The Pole won 6-1 2-6 6-3 in a little over two hours but for some time it looked like an upset was brewing on Centre Court. More here:

Iga Swiatek survives Taylor Townsend scare in unconvincing start to title defence

Iga Swiatek emotional after opening win

15:49 , Jamie Braidwood

A hugely significant win for Swiatek. You can see what it means.

“I’m not sure if I’m able to talk that much. But it was a tough couple of weeks. Not a season where everything went how I wanted. I don’t think I won any three set match this year. I’m happy I could do it here. It means a lot opening the court as defending champion.”

GAME, SET AND MATCH! Iga Swiatek survives!

15:40 , Jamie Braidwood

Relief for the defending champion! Sealed with an ace!

Only two defending women’s champions had been knocked out in the first round. Taylor Townsend threatened making that three, as Swiatek’s serve and forehand fell apart in the second set.

But Swiatek steadied, saving four break points at the start of the third. From there, she battled on, showing resilience and grit to avoid the upset.

This clearly means a lot to Swiatek. The Polish player immediately covers her face in a towel, and appears to be sobbing in relief. Returning as champion brings pressure.

But she battles on.

Swiatek breaks to put pressure and will serve for match

15:39 , Jamie Braidwood

Iga Swiatek breaks! Taylor Townsend’s serve falls apart and Swiatek picks her off at the net with a forehand winner. The defending champion will now serve for the match, to avoid the upset.

All square on Centre Court

15:33 , Flo Clifford

Momentum swings again on Centre as Swiatek breaks to 15 - but then at 30-30 on her serve the Pole double faults, her ninth of the match, and Townsend converts the break point to break straight back!

Swiatek leads 4-3 in this deciding set.

Iga Swiatek v Taylor Townsend

15:23 , Flo Clifford

After that mammoth service game scare for Swiatek, it’s going on serve so far in this decider: 2-2.

Arthur Fery confronted by opponent in fiery Wimbledon clash: ‘Be honest!’

15:13 , Jamie Braidwood

A furious Damir Dzumhur raged at the British wildcard and chair umpire Greg Allensworth over a disputed ‘let’

Arthur Fery confronted by opponent in fiery Wimbledon clash: ‘Be honest!’

Swiatek holds serve

15:10 , Flo Clifford

Finally, after nine deuces, Townsend thumps the ball into the net, and Swiatek holds after nearly 20 minutes!

Iga Swiatek in mammoth service game

15:08 , Flo Clifford

Swiatek’s troubles have continued into this third set, despite going off court for a break.

We’re into a ninth deuce as she serves to start this set. She’s produced three double faults and is looking shaky, but occasionally produces a trademark zinger to keep in this.

SECOND SET! Iga Swiatek in trouble against Taylor Townsend

14:48 , Jamie Braidwood

There’s the set for Taylor Townsend! The American, and No 1 in doubles, has switched up her approach in the second and her aggressive play has thrown a spanner in Iga Swiatek’s game. The defending champion is in some danger here as we head into the decider.

Swiatek’s parents are in the Royal Box but this is turning into an uncomfortable watch...

Oh dear! Iga Swiatek is unravelling!

14:31 , Jamie Braidwood

What is happening on Centre Court?! Iga Swiatek made just four errors in the first set, but has made 10 in the second as she trails Taylor Townsend 4-0. This sort of unravelling has been seen before some Swiatek, the defending champion. This is turning into a test.

The drama in Arthur Fery v Damir Dzumhur continues

14:25 , Jamie Braidwood

Arthur Fery has taken a medical timeout because he’s got a nose bleed. A trainer is out on court giving him a swab, after he stuffed some tissue up his nose. That may have Damir Dzumhur some time to cool down. From leading 6-2 2-0, he has lost eight games in a row to and the score is now 3-6 6-2 2-0 to Fery.

Naomi Osaka in Taylor Townsend's box for Iga Swiatek match

14:22 , Jamie Braidwood

Former world No 1 Naomi Osaka is sitting in Taylor Townsend's box for her match against Iga Swiatek on Centre Court. The pair went on holiday together at the end of last season, and their close friendship continuing.

Townsend has started the second set well, too, breaking Swiatek.

Arthur Fery levels against steamy Damir Dzumhur

14:12 , Jamie Braidwood

Arthur Fery levels the match against Damir Dzumhur, who is losing his temper at umpire Greg Allensworth and has called the supervisor to complain about his officiating.

That’s a good sign for wildcard Fery, who lost the opening set 6-3 but has won the second 6-2 against the Bosnian.

Iga Swiatek in control

14:06 , Flo Clifford

After a wobble on serve, when she fought back from 15-40 down and through multiple deuces to hold for 1-1, defending champion Iga Swiatek is in cruise control against Taylor Townsend.

She wins the opening set 6-1 on Centre Court.

Defending champion Iga Swiatek in action

13:43 , Flo Clifford

As is tradition, defending champion Iga Swiatek is beginning her campaign and opening play on Centre Court for the day.

She plays American Taylor Townsend.

Katie Swan almost quit tennis — she’s now Britain’s first Wimbledon winner

13:35 , Jamie Braidwood

After battling back from the brink of quitting tennis, Katie Swan became Britain’s unlikely first winner of this year’s Wimbledon after beating Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu to reach the second round.

After converting her fifth match point, the 27-year-old Swan fell to her knees and held her head in her hands while Court 16 erupted into cheers. After Katie Boulter added to the 10 British defeats on Monday, Swan, the world No 196, is the first player through to the second round.

Katie Swan almost quit tennis — she’s now Britain’s first Wimbledon winner

Around the grounds

13:28 , Flo Clifford

Sixth seed Taylor Fritz leads lucky loser Dusan Lajovic - who took Jack Draper’s spot in the draw after his withdrawal - 3-2 over on Court No 1.

Finnish qualifier Otto Virtanen has taken the first set 6-4 off Ben Shelton, but the fourth seed is fighting back and leads 3-0 in the second.

And Jasmine Paolini has recovered from her first-set bagelling to loevel proceedings against qualifier Robin Montgomery; the Italian leads 6-5 in the decider.

Why Wimbledon is falling behind in the grand slam arms race

13:22 , Jamie Braidwood

The All England Club continues to face legal hurdles in its bid to expand its grounds to Wimbledon Park, while the other major events flaunt their capacity to turn tournaments into ‘three-week’ events

Why Wimbledon is falling behind in the grand slam arms race

How Amanda Anisimova’s recovery from Wimbledon final catastrophe can push her to new heights

12:53 , Flo Clifford

A year on from a final to forget, Amanda Anisimova returns to the All England Club. The 24-year-old could be forgiven for having mixed feelings about walking back through the gates at Wimbledon, having experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows imaginable on its hallowed turf.

Her march through the draw at last year’s tournament to her first major final was hugely impressive. The final itself, a 6-0 6-0 drubbing by Iga Swiatek, the first of that scoreline at Wimbledon in over a century, was neatly summed up by her then coach as “the worst off day we have ever experienced”.

That tragic, terrible day at the office was soon forgotten, however. Six weeks later, the American avenged it by defeating Swiatek at the US Open and made it back to a grand slam final.

How Amanda Anisimova’s recovery from Wimbledon calamity can push her to new heights

Around the grounds

12:46 , Flo Clifford

Elsewhere, last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova beat Lina Gjorcheska 6-3 6-2 in a little over an hour; Maria Sakkari has seen off 24th seed Clara Tauson 6-3 6-3, and another former finalist, Karolina Pliskova, has beaten fellow Czech Tereza Valentova 6-3 6-4.

Britain’s Harry Wendelken has dropped the second set against Valentin Royer after winning the first and it’s on serve at 1-1 in the third.

Wimbledon Brit tracker: Follow the progress of the 21 players in the singles draws

12:40 , Flo Clifford

British players suffered a wipeout on an awful first day at Wimbledon, with all 10 home players who completed their matches on Monday beaten to add to Jack Draper and Emma Raducanu pulling out injured.

Katie Boulter has already joined their number but there are eight more Brits in action on day two.

Wimbledon Brit tracker: Follow the progress of the 21 players in the singles draws

Katie Swan wins on Wimbledon return

12:32 , Flo Clifford

In much happier news, Katie Swan, returning to Wimbledon after three years away and a career ravaged by injuries, has notched the first win for a British player of this Championships!

The 27-year-old won 6-4 6-4 over Romania’s Irina-Camelia Begu and was the picture of joy as she celebrated with her team.

Katie Boulter out in first round

12:24 , Flo Clifford

An early double fault for Tyra Grant indicates there are some nerves for the teenager - but she recovers in a grinding rally, with Boulter producing another error, and then an ace down the T brings up match point!

She only needs the one as Boulter can’t keep a low ball in play. Grant, the world No 172 and a qualifier, earns her first main draw win at a grand slam 6-4 6-2, having never won a pro match on grass before this tournament!

What time is Serena Williams playing at Wimbledon today?

12:17 , Flo Clifford

Serena Williams will play her first-round match against Maya Joint, the world No 53, on Tuesday 30 July. It will be the final match of the day on Centre Court, following the defending champion Iga Swiatek and French Open champion Alexander Zverev’s opener against Alexander Blockx.

Swiatek will open play at 1:30pm and there will then be a best-of-five set match between Blockx and Zverev. Williams could be therefore be in action on Tuesday evening, at around 6pm BST (1pm ET).

‘It stinks’: Ten Brits fall on nightmare opening day of Wimbledon

12:12 , Flo Clifford

On Sunday afternoon, 21 British players were into the main draw of the Wimbledon men’s and women’s singles. By sunset on Monday, only nine remained. Despite bright sunshine and balmy temperatures in SW19 what seemed an idyllic start to the tournament rapidly morphed into a nightmare, a truly miserable Monday, as 10 Brits fell on the opening day - the worst return for the home nation this century.

‘It stinks’: Ten Brits fall on nightmare opening day of Wimbledon

Katie Boulter on brink of exit

12:08 , Flo Clifford

Tyra Grant really looks like she’s enjoying herself out on Court 3. She flashes a wry smile as if to say ‘fair play’ as Boulter fizzes a return right onto the line, and is looking very composed, fist pumping to her team.

She breaks to 30 and now will serve for a place in the second round!

Wendelken and Swan win first set

12:06 , Flo Clifford

In better news, wildcards Harry Wendelken and Katie Swan - the latter playing in her first Wimbledon in three years - have both claimed the first set in their opening matches, against Valentin Royer and Irina-Camelia Begu respectively.

202nd-ranked Wendelken is acquitting himself well against an opponent 127 places above him in the standings.

Boulter trails

11:59 , Flo Clifford

Boulter’s serve has gone missing at the wrong time and two double faults in the same game followed by a forehand unforced error help Grant to break for a 2-1 lead in this second set.

The 18-year-old has been serving really well, and not given the Brit an inch on her own service games.

Now she plays a nice reflex backhand volley at the net which just dies on the grass, and Boulter shakes her head in resignation. She’s being outplayed all over the court at the moment.

Grant holds, and court 3 has gone very quiet indeed.

Wimbledon prize money: How much will players earn round by round?

11:52 , Flo Clifford

Record prize money is on offer at this year’s Wimbledon, with the eventual winners of the men’s and women’s singles titles each receiving £3.6m.

Prize money was a contentious subject ahead of the 2026 Championships, leading Wimbledon to announce its biggest ever single-year uplift in an attempt to appease unhappy players.

The All England Club revealed a 20 per cent increase, with the total prize pot rising to £64.2m from last year’s £53.5m. Prize money for qualifying also increased to £6.2m.

The world’s leading players welcomed the prize money announcement as “genuine and significant step forward”, but it has not stopped protests from the players during the tournament.

The players have long argued that they should be receiving a greater percentage of the overall revenues generated by the grand slams.

Wimbledon chair Debbie Jevans said, however, that it made “no sense” to focus on prize money as a ratio of tournament earnings.

Wimbledon 2026 prize money: How much will players earn round by round?

Katie Boulter loses first set

11:46 , Flo Clifford

A double fault as she serves for the set doesn’t trouble Tyra Grant too much; the 18-year-old looks very composed and she holds without too much trouble. She leads 6-4 and home favourite Katie Boulter has a bit of a mountain to climb.

Elsewhere, Amanda Anisimova has clinched the first set 6-3 against Lina Gjorcheska, while 2024 runner-up and 13th seed Jasmine Paolini has dropped the first 6-0 to Robin Montgomery of the USA.

Britain’s Harry Wendelken leads Valentin Royer 5-3.

Katie Boulter trails in first set

11:36 , Flo Clifford

On Court 3, Katie Boulter gets a much-needed hold to love, to put the pressure back on qualifier Tyra Grant.

The Italian leads 5-4 and will now serve for the set.

Day two updates

11:29 , Flo Clifford

Katie Boulter is an early break of serve down to Italian youngster Tyra Grant, who leads the first set 4-3.

Last year’s runner-up Amanda Anisimova leads Lina Gjorcheska 4-1, former Australian Open champion Madison Keys is 3-2 up on compatriot Kayla Day, and British wildcard Harry Wendelken leads Valentin Royer 3-2.

Brits to watch on day two

11:17 , Flo Clifford

After yesterday’s horror show, when a record 10 Brits lost on the opening day - the worst return since records began in 2000 - we’re still searching for our first British winner of this year’s Championships.

Nine Brits play on day two: Katie Boulter opens play on Court 3 against Italian qualifier Tyra Grant, with wildcard Toby Samuel playing French Open semi-finalist and 15th seed Jakub Mensik in the third match on the same court.

On Court 18, wildcard Jack Pinnington Jones resumes his match against 28th seed Brandon Nakashima, which was postponed due to bad light yesterday evening with the Brit two sets down.

19th seed Karen Khachanov then plays Billy Harris, another British qualifier, on the same court.

Wildcards Harry Wendelken and Jacob Fearnley play Valentin Royer of France and the USA’s Alex Michelsen on courts 14 and 15 respectively, with Court 16 serving up a Brit-fest as wildcards Katie Swan, Arthur Fery and direct entrant Jan Choinski play Irina-Camelia Begu, Damir Dzumhur, and Vit Kopriva back-to-back.

Wimbledon order of play

11:10 , Flo Clifford

🏟️ No.3 Court

11:00AM Start

1. Katie Boulter (GBR) v Tyra Caterina Grant (ITA)
2. Alex de Minaur (AUS) [5] v Roman Andres Burruchaga (ARG)
3. Jakub Mensik (CZE) [15] v Toby Samuel (GBR)
4. Not Before 5:00pm: Nadia Podoroska (ARG) v Marta Kostyuk (UKR) [12]

Wimbledon order of play

11:05 , Flo Clifford

🏟️ No.2 Court

11:00AM Start

1. Amanda Anisimova (USA) [6] v Lina Gjorcheska (MKD)
2. Otto Virtanen (FIN) v Ben Shelton (USA) [4]
3. Elina Svitolina (UKR) [8] v Daria Snigur (UKR)
4. Mariano Navone (ARG) v Flavio Cobolli (ITA) [9]

Wimbledon order of play

10:59 , Flo Clifford

🏟️ No.1 Court

1:00PM Start

1. Taylor Fritz (USA) [6] v Dusan Lajovic (SRB)
2. Lois Boisson (FRA) v Elena Rybakina (KAZ) [2]
3. Stan Wawrinka (SUI) v Matteo Berrettini (ITA)

Wimbledon order of play

10:56 , Flo Clifford

Day 2- Tuesday 30 June

🏟️ Centre Court

1:30PM Start

1. Taylor Townsend (USA) v Iga Swiatek (POL) [3]
2. Alexander Blockx (BEL) v Alexander Zverev (GER) [2]
3. Serena Williams (USA) v Maya Joint (AUS)

What's in store for day two?

10:52 , Flo Clifford

Serena Williams headlines the Wimbledon order of play on day two of the Championships as the 23-time grand slam champion makes her return to singles after four years away.

Williams, 44, has not played a singles match since the 2022 US Open but will take her comeback to the next level when the wild card steps onto Centre Court to play Australia’s Maya Joint.

After Jack Draper's withdrawal from Wimbledon due to a relapse of his arm injury, denying a first-round blockbuster against Taylor Fritz, British players will be out to claim a first win of the Championships after yesterday’s wipeout.

Defending women’s champion Iga Swiatek will open play on Centre Court, with Amanda Anisimova, Ben Shelton and French Open champion Alexander Zverev the other stars in first-round action on day two.

Welcome

10:47 , Flo Clifford

Hello and welcome to day two of Wimbledon!

There’s an action-packed day in store, with defending champion Iga Swiatek opening play on Centre Court and plenty of Brits in action. But all eyes will be on Centre later this afternoon as a certain Serena Williams makes her comeback to singles after four years away. Don’t go anywhere!