Serena Williams beaten in straight sets in the Canadian Open by Belinda Bencic before bidding an emotional farewell to her fans in Toronto as the superstar edges closer to retirement
- Serena Williams lost 6-2 6-4 against Belinda Bencic in Toronto on Wednesday
- It was her first match since she announced that she will retire soon from tennis
- Williams gave an emotional thank you and goodbye to her fans in Canada
Serena Williams was beaten in straight sets by Belinda Bencic in the second round of the Canadian Open on Wednesday night before saying goodbye to her fans in Toronto.
Bencic dropped just six games in a 6-2 6-4 victory where Williams showed flashes of her best, but no more. The Swiss star stayed composed, refused to let the gravity of the match unsettle her and advances into round three.
Speaking on court after the match, Williams thanked her fans in Canada for their support across the course of her incredible career.
Serena Williams lost to Belinda Bencic in her first match since announcing retirement plans
Williams was beaten 6-2 6-4 by Bencic before bidding farewell to her fans in Canada
Tournament organizers handed Williams a bouquet of flowers before she departed the court
‘Thank you,’ she said, her voice crackling. ‘It was a lot of emotion, I love playing here and always love paying here.
‘I wish I could have played better but Belinda payed so well today. It has been an interesting 24 hours.’
‘I have always had some amazing times here on and off court and I’ll be coming back as a visitor to the city. I’ve had some crazy matches here.
‘I was really happy to be out here today and thank you for the support. It has been a joy playing in front of you guys all these years.’
Bencic paid tribute to the rival she had just beaten, saying on court: ‘Tonight was really special, it is also overwhelming as it is always an honor to play Serena. Tonight is about her.’
The 40-year-old Williams was handed gifts, including flowers, by tournament organizers before she made her way off the court to huge cheers and applause by her fans.
Williams will likely play the Western and Southern Open which begins on August 15 and then bow out at the US Open, which starts August 29.
Williams was visibly emotional as she said thank you and goodbye to her Canadian fans
Bencic competed hard against Williams and was a deserved winner on the night in Toronto
Williams, 40, showed flashes of her best but 12th seed Bencic handled the occasion well
Williams announced her retirement on Monday, in the latest issue of Vogue.
‘I have never liked the word,’ Williams wrote. ‘It doesn’t feel like a modern word to me. I’ve been thinking of this as a transition, but I want to be sensitive about how I use that word, which means something very specific and important to a community of people.
‘Maybe the best word to describe what I’m up to is evolution,’ she continued. ‘I’m here to tell you that I’m evolving away from tennis, toward other things that are important to me.
‘In the last year, Alexis (her husband) and I have been trying to have another child, and we recently got some information from my doctor that put my mind at ease and made me feel that whenever we’re ready, we can add to our family,’ Williams wrote.
‘I definitely don’t want to be pregnant again as an athlete. I need to be two feet into tennis or two feet out.’
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