Meghan Markle faced online backlash after Serena Williams lost her Wimbledon comeback match to Maya Joint, but the defeat came in a three-set first-round contest at the All England Club.
Williams, 44, lost 6-3, 6-7(6), 6-3 to Australian player Maya Joint in her first Wimbledon singles appearance after a long layoff.
The backlash linked Markle to Williams’ exit after social media users circulated claims about a possible United Kingdom visit by the Duchess of Sussex.
Some users also revived claims about Markle’s 2019 Wimbledon appearance; commentators and royal observers had previously described the seating issue as handled under Wimbledon security protocols.
Read: Serena Williams Wimbledon Return Ends in Maya Joint Defeat
The online criticism followed Williams’ defeat rather than any confirmed role by Markle in the match.
The Associated Press reported that Williams said she tweaked her knee during the match and still hoped to play doubles with Venus Williams.
Williams and Markle have maintained a public friendship for more than a decade. The Duchess of Sussex did not make any public statement about the Wimbledon backlash.
