Jakarta (ANTARA) – Serena Williams, about to end her tennis career, left the WTA Toronto Masters for the last time on Wednesday with a 2-6, 4-6 loss against Belinda Bencic.
The second-round loss to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic gold medalist was inevitable given Williams, who is 40, is competing for only the third time in 2022.
Bencic releases eight ace and beat Williams twice in the first set and once in the second, completing match point his first after 78 minutes.
Williams’ farewell interview on the pitch was tinged with emotion.
“I love playing here, I’ve always loved playing here,” Williams said. He sobbed as the fans who supported him throughout the game cheered him on.
“I wish I could have played better tonight, but Belinda played very well.”
Williams, who turns 41 next month, beat Spaniard Nuria Parrizas Diaz on Monday for her first singles victory since Roland Garros 2021, 14 months ago.
However, Williams shocked the tennis world when she revealed in a Vogue magazine article and Instagram post on Tuesday that the “countdown has begun” to her retirement from the sport.
Williams did not specify an exact retirement date, but he is expected to compete next week in Cincinnati before heading to the US Open, which begins August 29.
He has won the US Open trophy six times, including his first Grand Slam victory aged 17 in 1999.
“It’s been a pretty exciting 24 hours,” said Williams, who is still behind Margaret Court’s record 24 Grand Slam singles titles.
“Like I said in my post, I’m really bad at breakups,” Williams said, her voice shaking.
“But goodbye,” Williams said, then added with a laugh, “Toronto.”
This news was also broadcast on Antaranews.com with the title: Serena Williams leaves Canada after losing to Bencic
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