Tearful Serena Williams says ‘goodbye Toronto’ after flagging retirement

Serena Williams leaves the court carrying flowers and waving to fans (Chris Young/AP)

A tearful Serena Williams has admitted to being “terrible at goodbyes” as the National Bank Open triple champion said “goodbye Toronto” to a packed crowd one day after announcing her imminent retirement.

The American lost 6-2 6-4 to Belinda Bencic in the second round in Toronto in her first defeat since saying she has decided to end her career.