Serena Williams’ first Wimbledon singles match in nearly four years draws record ratings for ESPN. Coverage reports say the match—played on a Tuesday afternoon in the United States—averages 1.8 million viewers for ESPN, with a peak of 2.1 million, described as the network’s biggest audience for a Day 2 showing at the grass-court Grand Slam. ESPN also reports its largest first-round Wimbledon ratings ever.
In the match, Williams, age 44, faces 20-year-old Maya Joint of Australia. Williams loses the singles contest 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3, but the reports note that it is a competitive performance given the time away from professional singles. In addition to the singles return, Williams’ doubles plans remain uncertain, with one report indicating her status for the doubles event is in question. Earlier reporting also connects her comeback to her return to the doubles circuit and the later receipt of a Wimbledon singles wild card.
