Serena Williams Slammed for ‘Cold Handshake’ After Defeat to Maya Joint in Comeback Wimbledon Match – “Just Shoo Away from Our Beautiful Sport”

Maya Joint has scheduled her second-round clash with Alexandra Eala after eliminating Serena Williams.

Serena Williams Slammed for ‘Cold Handshake’ After Defeat to Maya Joint in Comeback Wimbledon Match – “Just Shoo Away from Our Beautiful Sport”

Maya Joint defeated Serena Williams (Image via Thought Catalog, Nick Ally)

The first-round match between Serena Williams and Maya Joint on Tuesday (June 30) ended in a thrilling fashion. Williams, playing her first singles match since the 2022 US Open third round, forced a comeback in the second set but eventually suffered a 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 defeat.

But her run at Wimbledon is not over yet. She is also competing in doubles with her sister and seven-time Grand Slam singles champion Venus Williams. They will face the pair of Solana Sierra and Camilo Osorio in the first round.

The Williams sisters, winners of 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, last won a Major at the 2016 Wimbledon. In singles the same year, the 44-year-old lifted the title in the tournament for the last time.

But Williams suffered a right knee injury during her singles match, which is why her doubles match with Venus is now in doubt. Williams last won a singles title at the 2020 ASB Classic by defeating countrywoman Jessica Pegula.

And the last time she lifted a Major singles title was at the 2017 Australian Open by defeating Venus. But it was at the 2019 US Open that Williams played a Major singles final for the last time.

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Fans slam Serena Williams for her quick handshake with Maya Joint

Serena Williams found herself on the receiving end of criticism for various reasons. Frenchwoman Harmony Tan, who defeated Williams in the opening round of her last Wimbledon match before her first retirement, posted a screenshot on her Instagram story, revealing that the former World No.1 had blocked her after that defeat.

Serena Williams
Serena Williams (Image via The Independent)

Then, after her defeat to Joint, Williams’ handshake was called ‘cold’ and ‘salty’ by many fans on social media. The 23-time Grand Slam singles champion also skipped the press conference.

Check out their reactions here:

Joint will next be locking horns with Alexandra Eala. This is the second time Joint is playing in the main draw of Wimbledon following the 2025 season.

Maya Joint describes the craziest moment of her career after defeating Serena Williams

Joint, during the on-court interview after defeating Williams, said the thought of facing the tennis legend gave her a sleepless night, and she also forgot the warm-up. The whole thing was “pretty crazy” for the 20-year-old, who used to dream of facing Williams one day.

Serena Williams (2)
Serena Williams (Image via Sky Sports)

When we were in that hallway before we walked out into Centre Court, that was the craziest moment of my life. Yeah, just watching all the greats and the legends do that, for me to do that as well was just insane. I was pretty nervous. I don’t think I was that free, but I got a good start, which was helpful, and I think I tensed up a little bit when I got close to winning, but yeah, I think I played my best tennis when I needed to, which was good.

Maya Joint told reporters

Joint will be playing the second round of a Major for the third time in her career. Before this Wimbledon, she made the second round in the 2024 and 2025 US Open.

I really didn’t know what to expect. I went in expecting, thinking that she’d bring her best game that she brought when she was at her peak, because you need to prepare for the hardest possible match. I think she played really well. I don’t know. I haven’t really watched many of her matches, so yeah.

Maya Joint added

The Australian ace has so far played two singles finals in her career (last year’s Rabat Grand Prix and the Eastbourne International). She will face Eala for the second time since last year’s Eastbourne event.

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