Connect with us

Boxing & UFC

US OPEN— PAINFUL DEFEAT: See Who Brought Tears On Serena Williams on Rogers Cup crown

Published

on

A tearful Serena Williams saw her US Open preparation thrown into disarray on Sunday as back spasms forced her out of the Rogers Cup final after just four games, handing Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu the title. Bianca Andreescu, 19, was up 3-1 with a break of serve when 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams decided she couldn’t continue. She called for a medical timeout, but within a minute, the umpire announced she was retiring. “I just knew,” said Williams, adding she’d undergone hours of treatment before the match to combat the back spasms she’d first felt in a semi-final win on Saturday night. “I knew I wasn’t going to be able to continue.”

Andreescu approached her chair, offering words of encouragement and a consolatory hug as Serena Williams tried to fight back tears.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today,” Serena Williams told the crowd, her voice cracking. “I tried but I just couldn’t do it.”

Serena Williams said the spasms started during her come-from-behind win over Czech qualifier Marie Bouzkova on Saturday “and it just got worse.”

“Just my whole back just completely spasmed, and to a point where I couldn’t sleep and I couldn’t really move,” she said.

Nevertheless, she wanted to give it a go in the final.

“I don’t want to get this far and not at least try,” said the 37-year-old, who was eyeing her 73rd WTA title — and her first since the birth of her daughter, Olympia, in September 2017.

Beaten by Simona Halep in the Wimbledon final in July, Serena Williams was playing just her 24th match of a year already disrupted by nagging knee trouble.

Serena Williams hasn’t won a title since the 2017 Australian Open.

Since returning to competition after Olympia’s birth, she has reached three Grand Slam finals — and she remained optimistic that she would be ready to try to match Australian Margaret Court’s record of 24 Grand Slams when the US Open starts on August 26.

“Well, that’s the most frustrating part is that I’ve had this before and it’s, like, 24, 36 hours where I’m just in crazy spasm and then it’s, like, gone,” said Serena Williams, who wasn’t immediately sure whether she’d play next week in Cincinnati.

“So that’s a little bit frustrating for me because I know that I could play. I just can’t play today.

“If it’s what typically happens, I will be fine, but I have to wait and see.”

‘Never give up’

For Andreescu, Sunday’s events were a bittersweet achievement as she became the first Canadian to win the title since Faye Urban in 1969.

“I know how it is to pull out of tournaments and be injured — it’s not easy,” Andreescu said, addressing Williams directly during the trophy presentation.

“This wasn’t the way I expected to win and for you to go off the court. I’ve watched you play so many times. You are truly a champion on and off the court.”

Andreescu claimed her second WTA Premier level title of the year, having rocketed to prominence in March when she became the first wild card to win at Indian Wells.

“This week has not been easy. I’ve had many, many tough matches,” said Andreescu, who opened the week with an emotional three-set win over compatriot Eugenie Bouchard and played three more three-setters.

She’s projected to break into the top 15 in the world rankings on Monday after winning her first tournament since a right shoulder injury sidelined her at the French Open.

And while Serena Williams was keeping her Cincinnati options open, Andreescu was taking no chances, announcing later Sunday that she would skip the Ohio event.

“I really have to listen to my body right now, this last week has not been easy on it,” Andreescu said.

Advertisement

Recent Posts

Serena Williams dazzles on party Serena Williams dazzles on party
News9 months ago

Look at Six Serena Williams’s private photos that dazzled everyone…. looking provoking

  Serena Williams made one of the most common fashion blunders last night when she flashed her underwear when climbing...

Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere Serena Williams walks red carpet at King Richard Premiere
Celebrity9 months ago

For The Sake Of Sex: Serena Williams drops panties and gets people talking…

  Let’s talk about sex: More specifically Serena Williams’ sex life. The video below is Serena Williams wearing a butt-bearing...

Serena Williams who have dated her Serena Williams who have dated her
News9 months ago

Serena Williams: 14 eye-popping killer body pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo Serena Williams shows off her butt in a new Bikini photo
Celebrity9 months ago

12 Serena Williams’ incredible powerhouse swimsuit pictures you can’t stop looking at

  Serena Williams looks incredible in a colourful swimsuit as she jumps into the water and cosies up to husband...

Venus Williams is pictured at wedding Venus Williams is pictured at wedding
Celebrity9 months ago

Venus Williams || Six private photos that dazzled everyone and got fans talking

  As for her biggest role models, Serena Williams says she really doesn’t have to look beyond her own mother...

Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing Serena Williams Shreds Tennis Star Surfing
News9 months ago

Serena Williams posts Six private photos: Everyone is talking about

  Serena Williams is one of the top athletes in the world. But the Los Angeles native still likes to...

Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo Serena Williams Soaks Up the Sun in Croatia photo
News9 months ago

Serena Williams posts 8 provoking bikini pictures and got fans talking

  The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena Williams looks fine, sweet and sexy once she wore a bikini on holidays...

Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about Serena Williams’ overwhelming photos everyone talks about
Celebrity9 months ago

17 overwhelming pictures Of Serena Williams we can’t stop looking at…

  Tennis legend Serena Williams is rewarding herself with some fun in the sun following an extremely action-packed schedules in...

Venus Williams wedding pics, Venus Williams wedding pics,
News9 months ago

In Photos: Tennis Superstar Venus Williams tie Knot with Boyfriend

  Legendary athlete Venus Williams is commonly regarded as one of the best tennis players of all time. And while...

Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams Rapper Sean Kingston talks tennis star Serena Williams
News9 months ago

“Serena Williams and I had several Exhausting Marathon S*x and I still miss her s*x… “She just knows how to do it very well,” — Sean Kingston opens up

  Sean Kingston has finally revealed the truth about what really happened between him and Serena Williams having Exhausting Marathon...

Advertisement

Copyright © 2017