This Australian tennis star was so impressive, even John McEnroe was stunned

July 4, 2026 — 5:00am

You have reached your maximum number of saved items.

Remove items from your saved list to add more.

It was the dream, and it was the nightmare, all at once, for it was the same thing.

As Australia’s Maya Joint would recount, the dream of playing on centre court at Wimbledon against the best there ever was, had been with her since she was a little girl.

And now the reality: as a mere 20-year-old she is on centre court, up against the greatest woman champeen of all time, Serena Williams herself, who is sending down serves at just under 200 km/h and cross-court backhanders so scorching they could kill grass.

Joint had not won any of her past 11 matches, so what chance could she possibly be, particularly when just about the entire crowd – bar her mum and coaches, including Samantha Stosur – was against her?

As they walked on to court together, the Australian looked to have the rough proportions of Williams’ right leg. (And a great, athletic leg it is!) The difference in their size and obvious strength was extraordinary to behold.

But here is the thing I think went under-exulted. Joint barely blinked in her three-set win. As one who watched every ball of that match, I can confirm she was nothing less than extraordinary. Her poise! Her cross-court winners! Her refusal to take a single backward step when up against women’s sport’s answer to LeBron James, the GOAT! Our Maya – you heard me - simply took the game to Williams from the opening game, and made it clear that she was not intimidated.

In response, it has to be said, the American didn’t crack it for a smile the entire game. To the fans roaring for her, Williams gave just about nothing, right from the moment she arrived wearing headphones to block them out, to when she stalked off in defeat, after a brief wave.

Perhaps, in her defence, she really was discombobulated. To most commentators, Joint would have looked like fresh meat for the lioness of tennis to gobble up, before getting to the more challenging players a few rounds in.

And yet, here Williams was, being no less than humiliated by a young woman who was still four years away from being born when she had won the first of her seven Wimbledon titles.

My overall point, however, is Williams didn’t play badly. The American really was thumping down some tremendous serves, and unleashing amazing cross-court shots and drives down the line.

The problem was not her, it was that Joint was playing so fabulously, even John McEnroe was stunned.

She will go far, and is one to watch, even if she did go down in the second round to Alexandra Eala in three sets, after taking the first. Brava, Ms Joint.

Ashes to ashes, dust to dust,If Lillee don’t get ’em, Thommo must.

In the wake of the colossal success of last year’s Chappell Foundation dinner, featuring the great Dennis Lillee, who else could you get to be this year’s guest speaker, but ... Jeff Thomson!

Dennis bowled ’em, Jeff bowled faster,Join us for tales from the speed king master.

You get the........

© The Age