Williams, playing her first match since announcing her
imminent retirement from the sport, lost 6-2 6-4 to the Swiss to exit the
Canadian Open at the second round stage.
The 23-time Grand Slam winner, widely regarded as the
greatest player of all time, revealed in an interview with Vogue magazine this
week that she was "evolving away" from tennis and is "ready for
what’s next".
"It was a lot of emotions, obviously," she said in
her on-court interview after the loss, as she wiped away a tear. "I love
playing here, I've always loved playing here.
“I wish I could have played better but Belinda played so
well today. It's been an interesting 24 hours.
"As I said in the article, I'm terrible at goodbyes.
But, goodbye Toronto."
She added: "I was really happy to be out here today and
play in front of you guys, thanks for the support."
The 40-year-old is expected to bow out after this summer’s
US Open but her preparations for the Grand Slam event suffered a blow with this
defeat.
Williams was on the back foot from the start, having to save
two break points in her opening service game, but was ultimately broken twice
before Bencic claimed the first set on her fifth set point.
Williams showed more resistance in the second set but
eventually lost her serve for 4-3 and then went long with a forehand on match
point to hand the Tokyo 2020 gold medallist the win.
Speaking afterwards, Bencic paid tribute to Williams on an
amazing career.
"Of course, it's super nice, but today it's a little
bit more sad in a way,” she admitted.
“I don't really want her to retire. I feel like I've always,
in a way, you know what she's achieved and everything, all her legacy and
career and everything. But now that it's soon to be over I feel like people,
and me included, are realising it even more.
"Just standing on the court against her today was just,
yeah, really overwhelming, I would say."
'Serena is the reason I play' Gauff shocked at retirement
She added: "In a way with her it feels almost like I'm
star struck every time I see her, so it's difficult to play her.
“It's difficult to kind of put that aside and just like
focus on the match. Because I feel like I just don't know how I then play
because I feel like I'm paralysed a little bit just like watching her.
"The crowd was incredible tonight. Just being part of
that whole thing, it's just really very special for me as well and for her. And
I think the US Open, it's going to be even more special. So good luck to
everyone who has to play her."
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