Serena Williams has been slammed for failing to front the media after her first-round defeat at Wimbledon.

The 44-year-old’s grand slam comeback was sensationally dynamited on Centre Court by Australian Maya Joint, who delivered a stunning performance to out-battle and finally subdue the hugely impressive returning legend.

WATCH THE VIDEO ABOVE: Maya Joint stuns Serena Williams at Wimbledon

In the match of her life, the 20-year-old Queenslander produced the best display of her career to prevail 6-3 6-7 (6-8) 6-3, withstanding everything that the player who may be the game’s greatest ever could throw at her.

But while Joint deservedly got all the plaudits for her handling of the occasion, the same cannot be said of Williams.

The American gave a lukewarm handshake to Joint, packed up her things, smiled and waved to the crowd and then walked of the court.

However, instead of fronting the media as every player is obliged to do, Williams just issued a brief statement.

“It was really great to be back at Wimbledon. I never expected to be here. The atmosphere was amazing. Walking out was amazing. I definitely relished it and missed it and enjoyed the moment more than anything,” she said

Williams could face a fine for failing to do the obligatory post-match media conference.

Journalists were scathing of the move with International Tennis Writers Association president Simon Cambers leading the charge.

“Impressed at how hard (Williams) fought tonight. Not impressed that she refused to do her obligatory media conference. Having been given a wildcard by Wimbledon, that’s not on,” he wrote.

Aussie tennis reporter Todd Scoullar said: “So Serena doesn’t play a match for 4 years. Gets a Wildcard into the biggest tournament on the calendar. Loses to a player with a 3-13 record and 103 in the race this year. Gives a rubbish handshake. Refuses to do press. Didn’t need her at Wimbledon.”

He later added: “To clarify for certain people, she’s the best female player in history. If she played a few matches at smaller events to help boost them, and to get matches in, a WC at Wimbledon makes sense. And why not do press? Horrible look for the player with the most eyeballs watching her.”

Fans were equally furious.

“No grace in defeat at the net as usual, and then refuses to front the press. She’d be happy to face the media had she beaten Maya. Has there ever been anyone more distasteful in defeat than Serena?” One fan wrote.

“Wow so it seems Serena Williams who rocks up to Wimbledon after not playing singles for 4 years, requests and gets a main draw wild card worth £80,000 is not going to do her post match press conference which is a mandatory requirement. That’s next level arrogance imo,” another raged.

The loss marks Williams’ third consecutive first-round exit at Wimbledon after also crashing out in 2021 and 2022.

Her conqueror in 2022, Harmony Tan, revealed that she has been blocked by Williams on Instagram.

Meanwhile, Joint, was left amazed by the whole occasion.

Having never even seen her idol Williams before this week, she laughed after her victory: “When we were in that hallway before we walked out into Centre Court, that was the craziest moment of my life ... just insane.

“It’s difficult to explain here aura. I don’t know. It just seems like she’s just so much better, in general, than you as a person.”

Joint overcame the disappointment of missing out on a match point when on the verge of a straight-sets win, then battled back after Williams had roared into a third-set lead to seal a monumental triumph in two hours 22 minutes.

The emotional victory left Joint, who grew up in the US state of Michigan where Williams was also born, almost dumbfounded.

“I didn’t get much sleep last night, I was up ‘til 2am just thinking about it,” she told the crowd.

“I’ve been dreaming about this moment since I was a little kid, so this is pretty crazy.”

Reflecting on losing 13 of her past 14 matches, Joint, still seeming a little dazed by the magnitude of the victory, admitted: “I think every tennis player at some point in their life thinks they don’t want to play anymore, but, you know, this sport is my life. I love it.

“I’d always dreamt of this moment to play Serena Williams, Centre Court, Wimbledon. I never thought I’d get the chance to do that. I think I’m very lucky to have been able to do that.”

And she has no doubt that the win could be a game-changer for her.

“I think it just gives me some confidence that I have been searching for for a while, just proving to myself that I can win and I’m still at the top level,” Joint said.

The last time she really demonstrated her true potential was in the Eastbourne WTA final on grass on the Saturday before last year’s Wimbledon, when she defeated Filipino star Alexandra Eala 12-10 in a final-set tiebreak after saving four championship points.

Now, the pair will meet gain in the second round at Wimbledon, with Joint looking forward to a rematch.

“I’m surprised we haven’t played each other since. We have been in pretty much all the same tournaments,’‘ Joint said.

“We had an amazing, epic match last time we played in Eastbourne and I’m expecting the same kind of match this time.

“I’m really excited, it’s really going to be really fun.”

— With AAP