Serena Williams tearfully says goodbye to Toronto: ‘I’ll be back, but only to see the city’

There are only two tournaments left for Serena Williams (407th) to officially retire from the professional circuit. That of Saginaw could not beat Belinda Bencic (12th) and said goodbye to the Canadian Masters 1000 between tears and a huge ovation from the fans, who filled the center court of the Toronto hall to see the living legend. One of the best tennis players in history is already thinking about Cincinnati and the US Open.

“There were a lot of emotions that I experienced these days and also tonight during the game. Obviously I love playing here, I love this tournament, I’ve always come to compete in Canada. I would have liked to play better, but the reality is that Belinda had an incredible game, she played very well. The last 24 hours have been hectic for me, I love you all, this moment is memorable. As I already wrote in my article I’m terrible at goodbyes “, began the American by telling in the post-match interview.

One where he didn’t lose his smile, and where the tears gradually appeared on his face. She was seen to the full and even during the hour and 17 minutes she was on the track, that feeling stayed with her all the time. On a special day, there was no time for blame.

“I have lived incredible moments here in my career, I really like this circuit and this public. Both on and off the track, many moments of great happiness come to me. But I will come back, I promise, even if it will only be to visit the city, otherwise everything has been remarkable. I’ve played and won some amazing games here in my career, some great wins, even a crazy game against Belinda a few years ago, that one was pretty intense. This is what’s left, right now I’m immensely happy to be here in front of you all, thank you for so much support “, he commented. That encounter he is referring to was the Toronto 2015 semi-final, where the 23-time Grand Slam champion fell 3-6, 7-5, 6-4.

But seven years after that encounter, the reality was different. Obviously, the world number 12 was far superior to the youngest of the Williams, manage to beat her easily by 6-2 and 6-4 . At almost 41 years old, it’s very hard to demand anything from Serena on the court, especially after going more than a year without playing a professional tournament. In any case, he says goodbye to Canada with three titles, which he won in 2001, 2011 and 2013.

With this elimination in the second round (she had just beaten Nuria Párrizas) the calendar of the former world number one only has two dates left. First it will be when he makes his Masters 1000 debut in Cincinnati, then when it’s time to return to the main court at the US Open. .

In the United States, they are eagerly awaiting it, so much so that tickets for the New York Grand Slam were almost completely sold out after the announcement that Compton’s maid will say goodbye to this court. It will be a glorious farewell for the last great tennis player in history. A moment that will mark a turning point in the history of white sport. One of the best part.