serena williams toronto

Toronto gives Serena Williams emotional standing ovation after last ever match in Canada

There was a bittersweet moment for superstar tennis champ Serena Williams after her final match in Toronto.

Just two days ago, the 23-time Grand Slam champ announced her tentative retirement from the sport of tennis in Vogue Magazine and yesterday she played her final match in Canada.

Williams lost to Belinda Bencic at the National Bank Open on Aug. 10, marking her last appearance in Toronto. 

When it was all said and done, the fans got to their feet and applauded the 40-year-old megastar at the Sobeys Stadium at York University.

A rally chanting of "I love you" echoed throughout the area, promoting Williams to cry.

"It was a lot of emotions, obviously I love playing here, I always loved playing here," she said while adding that "it's been a pretty interesting 24 hours."

She reminisced about past matches in the city and thanked the fans for all of their support as she wiped away tears.

"Like I said in my article, I'm terrible at goodbyes but goodbye Toronto," she said while noticeably choked up.

She and her adorable daughter Olympia Ohanian also received some swag from from the Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors. 

"Thank you, thank you from the bottom of my heart it's been a joy playing in front of you guys all these years, so thank you," she said before receiving a bouquet of flowers and a thunderous applause. 

It won't be her last time in Canada or Toronto even - she told the crowd she'd return as a visitor.

She'll play her last match ever at the U.S. Open in New York at the end of the month. 

Thanks for all the years of amazing tennis Serena, Toronto loves you!

Lead photo by

Pete Power, Tennis Canada 


Latest Videos



Latest Videos


Join the conversation Load comments

Latest in Sports & Play

Toronto's most scenic skating rink is being revived after shutting down

Here's how much beer costs at Leafs and Raptors games at Scotiabank Arena

New Toronto Maple Leafs player has yearbook pic foreshadowing future

Toronto founders of Boardball take their pitch to Dragons' Den

Streamer Adin Ross calls out Canada's Wonderland saying park owes him a refund

People in Ontario have a lot to say about Doug Ford wanting to Las Vegas-ify Niagara Falls

Toronto Blue Jays fan pops the question with adorable baseball card proposal

There are doubts soccer superstar Lionel Messi will play this weekend in Toronto