Serena Williams’ singles return sets ratings record for 1st-round Wimbledon match on ESPN
Summary
Serena Williams returned to singles tennis at Wimbledon after nearly four years, drawing an average of 1.8 million viewers on ESPN. Although she lost her first-round match to Maya Joint, the match set a new Day 2 viewership record for the network.Key Facts
- Serena Williams played her first singles match in almost four years at Wimbledon 2026.
- The match averaged 1.8 million viewers on ESPN, with a peak of 2.1 million viewers.
- Williams lost 6-3, 6-7 (6), 6-3 to 20-year-old Maya Joint from Australia.
- The match had more viewers than last year’s men’s semifinals on ESPN (1.3 million).
- ESPN’s overall Day 2 Wimbledon coverage averaged 937,000 viewers, up 55% from last year.
- Monday and Tuesday combined had ESPN’s highest-viewed first round for Wimbledon, averaging 734,000 viewers.
- Williams received wild card entries to compete in singles and doubles at Wimbledon.
- Serena announced a minor right knee injury sustained during the match.
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