Late in the afternoon, Wimbledon goes into convulsion and everyone rubs their eyes when they see one of the most recognizable silhouettes in the history of tennis ascending the steps that lead to the court. Centre Court. , in the slipstream of a player who must be given all the credit. Until today, very few people had noticed Maya Joint, a discreet player born in San Francisco and who competes for Australia who has had the honor and, at the same time, the hassle of co-starring in this until recently unsuspected event. Williams competing at 44 again? That’s how it is. Down there he is, again, swaying his hips to the rest and roaring.
It is impossible to forget that grunt when hitting the ball, that drama when facing each point and that unique and proud way of reacting to adversity. Because there is. Whoever expected a fairy tale in this return comes face to face with a demanding reality; logic, always ready to put things in their place: 6-3, 6-7(6) and 6-3, after 2h 21m. The North American had not played an individual match for four years —— and to the weight of her age — a 24-year gap — is added the lack of filming; In his backpack, just a couple of doubles matches (short and unreal scale) and an intense tune-up during the previous months that has given him back an athletic figure. However, in terms of continuity it is another story.
Williams continues to operate more or less on those eight tiles at the back from which he exercised in the times before the goodbye, aware that any adventure in other corners of the court can cost him dearly at each point. She proudly rejects the directions proposed by her rival from side to side, but if the point lengthens and she has to run more than desired, the seams are visible. Those lungs are the same as in 2022. Now, there is no expiration date for a series of basics of the plot of a legend like her; That is to say, the strength, the touch and the wrist – its quality was underestimated more than it should – remain perfectly armored. There, a delicious trip to the past.
There is probably in this return, given that Joint, in her own way, blameless, overcomes everything that can stun her (her and anyone else to whom the episode would have corresponded): the immensity of the adversary, the emotional combustion and those courageous responses from the heroine, clinging with everything she has today. As far as it goes. Which is not little. With all the craftsmanship and school in the world, he puts pressure on the rest – intelligent balls to the feet – and when the first set has already been decided and it seems that the second is about to be done, he scrambles. House brand. There are and will not be years, ages, generations or cycles that erase that instinct or that fight. That eternal insurrection.
His sister Venus (46 years old) records everything without losing any detail and those who see it hold their cell phones: reels and non-stop snapshots, because no one would have imagined it. The aroma of myths never goes away. Serves close to 190 km/h and those c’mon! rebels every time danger appears. The deck is closed, there is artificial light and a cane Fire the ball until it touches the metal tubes of the structure, while the ambient temperature rises. Williams in action, so why not? The tall, red-haired Joint acts tempered under the visor because, after all, the party isn’t with her. This is the competition, this is the first level. And when it comes down to it… Serena.
At 5-5, Compton saves a 0-40 lead and then, in the tiebreaker, allows itself the luxury of canceling a match point. It was, is and will be. That’s how she spends it. Always like this. The mallet does not forget—“this is like riding a bicycle,” he said—and that blessed disobedience that pushed him towards infinity makes itself felt again: he grumbles and demands a ball that technology validates, and in one of the exchanges he takes a walk on the opposite side to that indicated by protocol. And there it is, err or err. Endless spell. Pressing as always, with all his expressiveness: “Nooooooooo!” Pelín took the shot long, but finally took over the second set and Joint, imperturbable until then, had that mysterious force rushing over him. Respect, it’s called.
Joint, 2006, had not even been born when Williams had already won (1999 US Open) the first of her 23 majors. “And she is one of the best athletes of all time, whether man or woman and of any discipline,” the famous John McEnroe recalled these days. And so it is. Greatness to give and give, so that’s the only way to understand the reaction—break to 2-1 in the final set—and that usual bravery that ends up lighting up La Catedral. And if…? But the overwhelming force of logic aborts it. For now, too much for her. The clock keeps stretching, the physique keeps shrinking, and Joint keeps turning it around until he gets it. You already have it. He will keep it like gold in cloth: I defeated Serena.
The Australian celebrates it discreetly, the war cry of a countryman echoes through the stands —Aussie-aussie-aussie! Oi-oi-oi!”— and the winner speaks excitedly: “Last night I didn’t sleep much. And when I went out to warm up, my legs didn’t move. The beginning was very stressful and the end of the match, too. Definitely, there she raised the level.” It couldn’t be any other way, the specialty. It remains for him to indulge in doubles. Williams falls, but on his feet. She always standing.
