At Wimbledon, Serena Williams loses first match, Iga Swiatek won

Wimbledon, England — Serena Williams began — and ended — her comeback at Wimbledon after 364 days out of singles competition looking very much like someone who hadn’t competed in just that long.

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She missed shots, shook her head, rolled her eyes.

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In between, there were moments where Williams played very much like someone whose strokes and will have carried her to 23 Grand Slam titles.

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She hit blistering serves and strokes, celebrated with arms aloft.

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Returning to the site of her last singles match, which she had to stop after less than a set because of an injury on June 29, 2021

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Seven of her major championships, the 40-year-old Williams came within two points of victory.

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But she could not finish the job against an opponent making her Wimbledon debut

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And bowed out with a 7-5, 1-6, 7-6 (10-7) loss to 115th-ranked Harmony Tan of France.

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“It’s definitely better than last year,” Williams said. “That’s a start.”

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Williams has spent more than 300 weeks ranked No. 1 but currently is 1,204th on account off all of that time off

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