Coco Gauff knows what it feels like to face a Williams at Wimbledon. In 2019, aged 15, the American defeated Venus in the first round in a match that wrote itself into tournament history. Seven years later, she offers guidance to Maya Joint, the 20-year-old Australian tasked with facing Serena Williams in the first round on Tuesday.
"When I was in that position, I didn't look at the scoreboard the whole match. I did not want to see Venus' name," Gauff said during her Saturday press conference at the All England Club. "Maybe don't look at the scoreboard. Also, you have to go in with belief you can win."
Joint, ranked 87th in the world, is enduring a difficult stretch. The Australian-American, a two-time WTA titlist who won on grass at Eastbourne last year, has lost 13 of her 14 matches since reaching the Adelaide International quarterfinals in January. A record that poorly reflects her ability. On grass, Joint has proven she can compete with the best, and her 2025 Eastbourne title provides a valuable reference for navigating London's lawns.
On the other side of the net, Serena Williams returns to singles at 44 after a three-and-a-half-year absence. The 23-time Grand Slam champion has played only two doubles events since returning to the tour. A Wimbledon wild card and seven-time champion on London's grass, she commands respect regardless of current form. Her last singles match dates back to the 2022 US Open.
"Anyone playing a Williams sister, it's not going to be easy," Gauff added with a knowing smile that speaks volumes about her 2019 memories. Joint, for her part, welcomes the draw with honour rather than fear. "I always dreamed of playing Serena. It's something that a lot of people have been able to say they've done," she said.
The match is scheduled for Tuesday on one of the All England Club's show courts. For Joint, it is a chance to transform a struggling season into a defining moment. For Serena, it is the first test of a comeback the entire world is watching. And for the London crowd, it is the promise of a first round loaded with emotion.
