Serena Williams loses to Belinda Bencic in Canadian Open
'It was a lot of emotions obviously,' said Williams
TORONTO: After losing to Belinda Bencic in the second round of the Canadian Open, Serena Williams said that she is "terrible at goodbyes".
The 23-time Grand Slam champion dropped her opening match in Toronto, 6-2 6-4, after declaring she would be "growing away" from tennis.
The 40-year-old American received a standing ovation on the court and had the support of the audience the entire time.
"It was a lot of emotions obviously," said Williams.
"I love playing here, I've always loved playing here. I wish I could have played better but Belinda played so well today. It's been an interesting 24 hours.
"As I said in the article, I'm terrible at goodbyes. But, goodbye Toronto."
Williams stated in an article for Vogue published on Tuesday that she was going toward "other things that are important to me" and that she disliked the word "retirement."
The countdown has started, she stated in an accompanying Instagram post.
Following the game, Williams, who was in tears, received jerseys for the Toronto Raptors basketball club and the Toronto Maple Leafs hockey team for her and her daughter Olympia.
"I was really happy to be out here today and play in front of you guys," she said. "Thanks for the support. Thank you."
Williams was only 17 years old when won her maiden Grand Slam competition at the 1999 US Open. When she won the 2017 Australian Open when eight weeks pregnant with Olympia, it was her last Grand Slam victory.
She has declared that she will compete at the US Open later this month as well as the Western & Southern Open the following week in Cincinnati, Ohio.
Comments