All eyes on Serena ahead of much-awaited Wimbledon return

LONDON, June 29 : Former world number one Serena Williams will be the centre of attention on Tuesday when she sets foot on the grass at the All England Club for the first time in four years to face Maya Joint in the first round at Wimbledon.

TOP WOMEN'S MATCH: SERENA WILLIAMS V MAYA JOINT

Williams, who has won 23 Grand Slams, has set herself a relatively low bar at this year's Wimbledon in what will be her first singles appearance at a Grand Slam since the 2022 U.S. Open.

The 44-year-old American, who will also compete in the doubles alongside her sister Venus, has won seven Wimbledon singles titles but said before the tournament that she was just focused on enjoying herself.

"In general, my expectations are definitely different for the first time in my career," she told reporters on Sunday.

"I feel like my feelings are just — not that I never enjoyed it before, or else I wouldn't be here today — but I feel like I'm really going to enjoy being out there."

Despite her long absence from the sport, Williams will have cause for belief against 20-year-old Australian Joint, who has had a dismal year on the WTA Tour, losing 15 of the 18 singles matches she has played in 2026.

TOP MEN'S MATCH: TAYLOR FRITZ V JACK DRAPER

In the men's draw, American sixth seed Taylor Fritz will take on British hope Jack Draper, who is in the midst of a comeback after an extended spell on the sidelines.

The 24-year-old Briton cut short his 2025 season with a bone injury in his arm and had to contend with a knee issue this year, returning to action for the first time since April last week at Eastbourne and reaching the semi-finals.

"I have to rebuild myself and I have to start again almost," former world number four Draper told reporters.

"I think my tennis