TORONTO — Serena Williams looked out at the sold\u002Dout crowd at Sobeys Stadium, searching for the fan who had just shouted “Serena, you’re the best!”
A video tribute to Williams played on the stadium’s video screens before she came out for warmups. It featured words of thanks and congratulations from world No. 11 Coco Gauff, hockey legend Wayne Gretzky, and women’s tennis pioneer Billie Jean King, among others.
“It’s just been so memorable,” said Williams about the outpouring of love after Vogue magazine published an article she wrote announcing her upcoming retirement.Fans weren’t the only ones caught up in the moment. Bencic, whose two wins over Williams in their five matches have both come at the National Bank Open, said she was still intimidated by the American who many consider the greatest tennis player of all time.
Williams hit the ball long on match point, bringing an end to the match and her time playing in Canada. It’s expected that she will formally end her career after the U.S. Open, which begins on Aug. 29.Article content“So good luck to everyone who has to play her,” she added with a laugh. She and her sister Bianca Fernandez then teamed up in the doubles tournament, losing to Andreja KlepaÄ of Slovenia and Alexa Guarachi of Chile 6-1, 6-2.
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