Serena Williams made a stunning comeback to singles tennis at Wimbledon’s Centre Court on Tuesday but her daughter missed the action
20:50, 30 Jun 2026Updated 22:48, 30 Jun 2026
(Image: Getty Images)
Serena Williams made her stunning comeback to singles competition on one of tennis’ grandest stages, Wimbledon’s Centre Court. The seven-time champion received a standing ovation as she walked out to face Maya Joint on Tuesday, with her personal box packed with supporters, including daughters Alexis Olympia, eight, and Adira River, two.
When Williams last played a singles match against Ajla Tomljanovic at the 2022 US Open, widely believed to be the final competitive outing of her career, Adira had not yet been born. The 23-time major-winner welcomed her second child a year after that emotional farewell in August 2023.
However, the two-year-old was not permitted to remain in Williams’ box for the match as the All England Club enforces a strict age policy requiring children to be at least five years old to attend a match. As a result, Adira was required to leave before play commenced, while Olympia was able to stay and took her seat alongside her father, Alexis Ohanian.
Wimbledon’s age restriction rules also had an impact on two-time former champion Andy Murray during his final appearance at the tournament in 2024. The Scot has four children with his wife, Kim, but only their two eldest daughters were permitted to sit in his box when the former world No. 1 partnered his brother, Jamie, in doubles two years ago.
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And Williams needed as much support as she could muster against a game Joint, who took the first set in convincing fashion. However, her grizzled veteran opponent made a match of it after clinching the tiebreak in the second set.
While Adira River may have been absent, partner Alexis Ohanian and daughter Olympia were among her most ardent fans. Not that it was enough to hold off the defeat as Joint advanced to the second round.
Williams’ children have played a pivotal role in their mother’s comeback and were also present at Queen’s when she returned to action in doubles alongside Victoria Mboko.
Both were permitted to watch from her box and Olympia has been spotted on the practice court with the former world No. 1 on several occasions, passing her balls and lending a hand.
Young daughter Adira appeared at Centre Court with her dad, Alexis Ohanian, before she had to leave(Image: Getty)
Naturally, the American tennis icon still commanded considerable support, even without her youngest daughter in her box. Beneath the Centre Court roof, the atmosphere was electric, with fans cheering, whooping and screaming from start to finish.
A huge cheer erupted when Williams claimed the opening point of the match as Joint sent a forehand long. It would have been entirely understandable if the weight of the occasion and Williams’ towering legacy had unsettled the world No. 87.
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But Joint, who later said her “legs wouldn’t work” amid the pre-match nerves, battled back to claim the first set 6-3. She settled the deciding set with an identical scoreline to knock Williams out at the first hurdle.
Williams’ tournament isn’t ran just yet as she prepares to team up with Mboko for the women’s doubles. However, Adira won’t be able to get a glimpse of her mum in action there, either, assuming she returns on any of the show courts.
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