Serena Williams’ return to her beloved Wimbledon did not end the way she—and tennis fans—would have liked. The 44-year-old tennis legend, who entered the Grand Slam on a wild card, was eliminated in the first round, losing 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 to Australia’s Maya Joine (No. 87 in the world), following a match that lasted 2 hours and 25 minutes.

The seven-time Wimbledon champion found herself in a difficult position early on, as Joine played an outstanding first set. The Australian held her serve at a crucial moment, saving two break points, and then broke to make it 5-3 before closing out the set 6-3.

In the second set, Williams showed her class and experience. Although she fell behind by a break twice (1-0 and 4-3), she fought back both times, and in a crucial game, she saved four break points to hold her serve. The set went to a tiebreak, where the American saved a match point and calmly tied the score at 1-1.

The crowd believed in a comeback when Serena took a break lead (2-1) in the third set. However, Joine responded impressively, winning four consecutive games to take a 5-2 lead and, shortly thereafter, “sealed” the biggest victory of her career, securing her spot in the second round, where she will face Alexandra Iala.

Serena thus brought her return to the London Grand Slam—where she has made her own history—to a premature end. In total, she has won 13 Grand Slam titles at Wimbledon—seven in singles and six in doubles alongside her sister, Venus Williams, leaving an indelible mark on the historic tournament.

*photo source: AP