20-year-old Maya Joint makes surprising late-night confession after unforgettable Wimbledon thriller with Serena Williams

Serena Williams' comeback bid at Wimbledon ended in heartbreak on Tuesday, June 30, as Australian Maya Joint beat the American icon 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 on Centre Court. It was Williams' first singles match in nearly four years, and the 44-year-old pushed her much younger opponent to the brink before falling short in a deciding set.

The result makes Williams the second-oldest woman to play Wimbledon singles in the Open era, trailing only Martina Navratilova, who reached the second round at 47 in 2004.

How did Maya Joint keep her composure against Serena Williams?

Beating Serena Williams at Wimbledon is the kind of moment many players dream about. For Maya Joint, living through it was far more difficult than imagining it.The Australian arrived at the Championships carrying little momentum. She had won only three of her 18 matches this season and had failed to register a victory on grass after an early exit while attempting to defend her Eastbourne title.

On paper, confidence could easily have been in short supply.

Instead, Joint trusted the level she had been producing, even if the results did not reflect it.The match itself tested both players repeatedly. Joint claimed the opening set after breaking Williams late, then looked ready to finish the contest in the second when she held a match point in the tiebreak. Williams refused to go away, saving it before forcing a deciding set with the kind of fighting spirit that has defined her career.

The final set followed a similar pattern. Williams earned the first break, but Joint responded immediately, breaking twice in succession to close out one of the biggest wins of her career.

The emotions poured out moments later.“I really don’t know what to say right now. I don’t know what just happened, to be honest.”She then explained just how overwhelming the build-up had been.“I didn’t get much sleep last night. I was up till 2 a.m. just thinking about it.

Walking out, I forgot the warm-up. I don’t know what happened; my legs weren’t moving. I really don’t know how I got a pretty good start in the match. She has such an aura; she’s such a legend.”Joint also reflected on the significance of playing on Centre Court.“This court has so many huge names that have played on it. I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a little kid, so this is pretty crazy.”

What comes next for Maya Joint and Serena Williams at Wimbledon?

Joint's victory sends her into the second round, where she will meet Alexandra Eala in a familiar matchup.

Their last meeting came in the Eastbourne Open final, where Joint famously saved four championship points before lifting the title.Looking back on her recent form, the Australian said she never allowed her disappointing record to affect her belief.“My last couple of matches have been pretty good; I thought I was playing pretty well, and I was getting pretty competitive with them. Even though I didn’t win many matches, I still felt like I could win.

I had the belief. I just took advantage of the moment and just enjoyed it. I didn’t really think about the previous matches I played.”She also acknowledged the challenge of facing one of her childhood idols.“Just trying to come out on court and play a match against her. Just the start was very nerve-wracking and then trying to finish out the match as well. She definitely lifted her level. She played some really great tennis there.”For Williams, the singles campaign is over, but her Wimbledon journey continues. She now turns her attention to women's doubles alongside her sister Venus, with the pair set to face Camila Osorio and Solana Sierra in the opening round.