Florida’s Serena Williams Retires in Rogers Cup Final Against Teen Sensation Andreescu

Florida’s Serena Williams‘ bid for a fourth career Canadian Open title came up short on Sunday when the former world No. 1 was forced to retire, trailing 3-1 in the first set with a back injury, in the final of the Rogers Cup to Canadian teen sensation Bianca Andreescu.

Over 🔟 hours on court this week
Three Top 🔟 wins
In the end, it’s a Perfect 🔟 for Bianca Andreescu.

Raise it high, @Bandreescu_. (But be careful up there!)#RC19 #BiancaSerena pic.twitter.com/pg3QOcGMgh

— National Bank Open (@NBOtoronto) August 11, 2019

Competing in her first event since a shoulder injury at the French Open, 19-year-old Andreescu became the first Canadian woman to win the Rogers Cup singles title in 50 years. 37-year-old Williams sustained the back injury during her prior three-set semifinal win over qualifier Marie Bouzkova.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today. I tried,” Williams told the crowd in tears afterwards. “I just couldn’t do it. It’s been a tough year, but we’ll keep going.”

All in a matter of minutes, @SerenaWilliams retires from the #RogersCup final and we have a new champion: @Bandreescu_ 🏆

The two women shared a heartfelt moment before Serena stepped down. pic.twitter.com/yhEbB45HCb

— Tennis Channel (@TennisChannel) August 11, 2019

Andreescu became the first Canadian woman to win the title since 1969 when Faye Urban defeated Vicki Berner in the all-Canadian final in only the second year of Open Era professional tennis. The fairy-tale year continues for the teen Andreescu, who began the year outside the Top 150 before winning the Indian Wells title as a wildcard. Adding the Rogers Cup to her resume, she is projected to rise to a career-high No. 14 this week on the WTA rankings.

“I know how it is to pull out of tournaments and be injured. It’s not easy,” Andreescu told Serena during the trophy ceremony after consoling Serena on the sidelines following the match retirement. “This wasn’t the way I expected to win and for you to go off the court.”

It remains to be seen whether Williams will compete this week in Cincinnati or rest and recuperate her back injury to be fit for the US Open in two weeks time.