No one in the stadium wanted it to end.
And maybe no one there wanted to believe that Serena Williams’ professional tennis career in Canada had just ended.
A crowd of 9,500 fans at Toronto’s Sobeys Stadium cheered wildly Wednesday night as Williams wiped tears from her eyes — just 24 hours after Williams announced her impending retirement, the emotion of the moment overwhelmed the 40-year-old.
In a match that lasted one hour and 17 minutes, Switzerland’s Belinda Bencic defeated one of the best to ever play the game in straight sets, 6-2, 6-4.
“There are a lot of emotions. I’ve always loved playing here in Canada. I wish I could have been better, but Belinda played so well today. It’s been a pretty interesting 24 hours,” Williams said.
In a lengthy on-court interview after the match, Williams struggled to find words to meet the moment – that 27 years after her professional tennis debut at a Level 3 tournament in Quebec City, this would be the way her professional tennis career in Canada will end.
“It was just so overwhelming,” Williams said, fighting back tears.
“I’m terrible at saying goodbyes. But goodbye Toronto.”
She continued, interrupted by fans who said they loved her.
“I love you all,” Williams shouted back.
“There have been some really good times here and I will be back as a visitor to this city. It was remarkable. I’ve had some amazing matches here. And great times.”
And then, after being presented with flowers and paintings and Toronto Maple Leafs and Raptors jerseys, the 23-time Slam singles winner made her final exit from the court in Canada.
Williams scores a rebound against Bencic in front of a crowd of 9,500 fans at Sobeys Stadium on Wednesday. (Carlos Osorio/CBC)
The crowd roared. They were waving. They cried a lot. Williams was crying, wiping her face with a towel as she waved to the crowd.
“Thank you for all the support,” Williams said.
It couldn’t have been a more different scene Wednesday night than the one Williams faced when he was just 14 years old playing his first professional game in Canada.
No one knew who she was. And certainly no one had any idea what it would become – and that it would dominate the next two decades.
When she played that qualifying match in Quebec City 27 years ago, she was beaten in two sets in less than an hour. There were no fans. No player introductions. It was unforgettable.
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Fans in Toronto paid tribute to the work Serena Williams has done for women and people of color after the tennis superstar announced she will retire after the US Open in September.
And even though it was also a close-set loss tonight, that game, the scenes that unfolded at Toronto Stadium, were unforgettable.
To her credit, Bencic was sensational on a night that was all about Williams. And the Swiss tennis player knew it too.
Bencic showed poise and composure throughout the evening, overcoming a raucous crowd that was well against her to build an early 3-1 lead.
On an idyllic evening for tennis in Toronto, with a light breeze swirling around Sobeys Stadium and the sun shining down on fans seated in the East Stand, Williams tried to deal with the younger, faster and more powerful backhand attacker in Bencic .
But again and again, Bencic proved too much. She cruised to victory in the first set, 6-2, in just 41 minutes.
Serena Williams wipes away tears before leaving the court Wednesday night after her loss to Belinda Bencic. (Carlos Osorio/CBC)
Throughout the evening, the audience tried to motivate Williams with shouts and clapping. Several times the head referee asked the fans to be quiet. But they pressed on, hoping they could rally Williams.
And it seemed to work early in the second set.
Williams held serve and appeared to have a surge in her set. She was moving around the court, hitting the ball harder and had eliminated some of the unprovoked errors that plagued her in the first set.
But with the score tied at 4-4, Bencic was able to break Williams to take a 5-4 lead and serve for the match. She made no mistake and finished quickly.
And just like that, it was over.
A game. Kit. It matches.
Belinda Bencic defeats Serena Williams in two sets — 6-2, 6-4.
The crowd stands. And endless applause. For the greatest ever. As Williams says goodbye to Canada.
What a scene here. Williams wipes away tears as she leaves the court. pic.twitter.com/Ekq8cZpODP
—@Devin_Heroux
But before all the drama, emotion and ending, there was celebration, recognition and respect.
It was hard to escape Williams’ omnipresence around Toronto Stadium. A larger flag of hers was hung outside the hall.
On columns in the hall are photos of Williams highlighting her three Canadian championships.
Minutes before Williams took the court, there was a video tribute in the concourse as fans spilled into their seats.
Another tennis legend, Billie Jean King, started.
“She uses tennis as a platform far beyond the sport. It makes it better for women, especially better for women of color. You are the best,” King said as part of his tribute.
Hockey legend Wayne Gretzky is done. Greatness acknowledging greatness.
Fans held signs reading “Toronto Loves Serena” and “GOAT” – the greatest of all time.
Danger zone for Williams now.
Bencic just smashed it. Leads 4-3 and serves. To set.
Crowd still in it. pic.twitter.com/q5Kw5AMBLV
—@Devin_Heroux
And it’s hard to argue with that.
Williams won 855 games. She won four Olympic gold medals. 47 career hard court titles.
Williams has won the Canadian title three times – winning the whole thing in 2001 and then again 10 years later in 2011. Her last win in Canada came in 2013. She is the last American to win in Canada.
Her longevity and ability to stay awesome through it all is unmatched. Ten of her 23 Slam titles came after the age of 30.
And now, after all these victories and all these years, the end is fast approaching.
Williams will step off the court for the last time at the US Open in New York next month. She loves playing there – on Arthur Ashe Court, the largest tennis stadium in the world.
Probably because on the biggest stages throughout his career, Williams met the pressure, the expectations and the detractors and every opponent he faced with a fighting spirit that few could match.
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