Serena Williams’ singles return sets ratings record for 1st-round Wimbledon match on ESPN

Serena Williams' first-round singles return at Wimbledon drew an average of 1.8 million viewers on ESPN, setting a record as the network's biggest audience for a Day 2 at the grass-court Grand Slam, with a peak of 2.1 million viewers. The match marked Williams' first singles contest in nearly four years, with the 44-year-old losing 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to 20-year-old Australian Maya Joint. Despite the defeat, Williams showed she could compete against an opponent less than half her age after her extended absence from the sport.