Serena Williams announced her retirement from tennis on Tuesday and is taking it all in before she says goodbye for good. Williams participated in the Canadian Open on Wednesday night at Sobeys Stadium Centre Court, losing to Belinda Bencic. Two standing ovations were given to Williams, the 23-time Grand Slam Champion, after the match. Williams was seen in tearsbefore speaking to the Tennis Channel.
“It’s just been so memorable,”Williams said: Per ET Canada. “Like I said in my article, I’m terrible at goodbyes, but… goodbye, Toronto! I’ve always had some amazing times here both on and off the court, I’ll be coming back just as a visitor to this city. Otherwise, It’s been remarkable, I’ve had some really amazing matches here, some really cool wins, a crazy match against [Bencic] a few years ago, that was pretty intense.”
Standing ovation for the legend @serenawilliamsCanada’s final match👏#NBO22 pic.twitter.com/TfhBXvCuJB
— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 11, 2022
Williams wrote an essay in which she announced her retirement. Vogue. The news was also shared on Instagram, writing, “there comes a time in life when we have to decide to move in a different direction. That time is always hard when you love something so much. My goodness do I enjoy tennis. But now, the countdown has begun. I have to focus on being a mom, my spiritual goals and finally discovering a different, but just exciting Serena. I’m gonna relish these next few weeks.”
After the US Open, Willams will officially step down. It will be held on Monday, Aug. 29, After winning the Grand Slam title in 1999, 2002 and 2008, Willams will officially retire. She also won the title in 2012, 2013, 2013 and 2014. She did not play in the tournament last season and reached the semifinals of the 2020 tournament. Williams reached the US Open Finals in 2018 & 2019, but lost to Naomi Osaka & Bianca Andreescu, respectively.
Williams has won 23 Grand Slam titles, and she has played in 33 Grand Slam finals during her career. Venus Williams has won 14 Grand Slam doubles titles, while Williams is also a tennis legend. The pair won three gold medals at this summer’s Olympics. Serena Williams was also awarded a gold medal in the singles competition at London’s 2012 Olympics. Williams, who has been a professional tennis player, has made more than $94 million. This is the highest total in Women Tennis Association’s (WTA) history.