Serena Williams defeated by Harmony Tan in first-round match in return to Wimbledon

Tan, who is playing at Wimbledon for the first time in her career, is scheduled to next face Sara Sorribes Tormo on Thursday. 

Williams was hunting for her first victory in more than a year, with her last win coming at the 2021 French Open. She won in the first three rounds in that tournament before losing to Elena Rybakina with a spot in the quarterfinals on the line. A few weeks later, Williams was forced to retire six games into a first-round match at Wimbledon due to a hamstring injury. She eventually revealed it was a torn hamstring and was sidelined for a year.

Earlier this month, Williams returned to competition by joining forces with Ons Jabeur in doubles. The duo won its first two matches, but bowed out in the semifinals due to an injury suffered by Jabeur.

Tan, 24, has previously reached the second round at the Australian Open and French Open, but she has never advanced to the third round at a Grand Slam.