Toronto final: Andreescu comforts injured Williams

Serena Williams’ first US Open tune-up ended in dramatic fashion as the American retired with injury while trailing Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu 3-1 in the first set of the Rogers Cup final on Sunday.

Williams, chasing a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam title at the US Open, exhibited few signs of distress on court but suddenly sat crying in her chair before deciding to retire 19 minutes into the match with a back spasms.

“I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today. I tried but I just couldn’t do it,” a tearful Williams, who struggled to get the words out, told the crowd.

“It’s been a tough year but we’ll keep going.”

The 37-year-old Williams, whose competitive action this year has been severely limited because of knee issues, declared herself pain-free ahead of the tournament, which she was hoping to use as a springboard for the rest of her hardcourt swing.

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But the six-time US Open champion, still without a title since returning from maternity leave in 2018, now faces her latest setback with the year’s final Grand slam just two weeks away.

She said the spasms began during her three-set semi-final win over Czech Marie Bouzkova on Saturday. They got so bad that she was unable to sleep and could not really move but she added that she at least wanted to try and play the final.

“I was really sad and she made me feel a lot better.”@serenawilliams praises her @rogerscup final opponent @Bandreescu_ in her post-match press conference. pic.twitter.com/4wh8QCggDg

— WTA (@WTA) August 11, 2019

“I was just trying to figure out how do you play a match where you have no rotation?” said Williams.

“And I don’t want to get this far and not at least try. I think I would have really regretted not at least going out there and seeing maybe if a miracle happened.”

As Williams sat dejected in her chair, Andreescu, who is no stranger to injury setbacks, went over to console her.

The pair embraced and had a heartfelt conversation during which the former could be heard talking about back spasms.

"I know all about injuries." @Bandreescu_ consoles Serena Williams following her @rogerscup final retirement. pic.twitter.com/CM1joKu6Cw

— WTA (@WTA) August 11, 2019

“I feel for Serena so much. I’ve been through so much the last year with injury so I am so sorry she had to go out this way,” the 19-year-old said during the trophy ceremony.

“Sometimes, you can’t push your body and she couldn’t today and I wish her a fast recovery.”

Andreescu, who shot to prominence with her Indian Wells triumph in March and was competing this week for the first time since withdrawing from the French Open with a shoulder injury, is the first Canadian to win the event in 50 years.

She has since withdrawn from this week’s WTA tournament in Cincinnati, while Williams will travel to Ohio and will see how she feels before making a decision as to her participation.

Bianca Andreescu statement on @CincyTennis withdrawal. pic.twitter.com/5sqEEahnsa

— WTA Insider (@WTA_insider) August 11, 2019

In the opening game of the match, Williams survived a break point to hold onto her serve but Andreescu grabbed an early break for a 2-1 lead.

Andreescu then consolidated her break to move 3-1 up at which point Williams immediately moved to her chair where she broke down in tears.