VIDEO: Serena Williams breaks down in tears as she’s forced to retire from match

Serena Williams broke down in tears after she was forced to retire from Rogers Cup final on Sunday, due to a back injury .

The 23-time grand slam winner retired while trailing Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu 3-1 in the final .
Williams, who hopes to chase a record-equalling 24th career Grand Slam title at the U.S. Open, seemed fine on court.

But she suddenly started crying in her chair before deciding to retire 19 minutes into the match with back spasms.

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

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

Andreescu consolidated an early break to move 3-1 up at which point Williams went to her chair where she called for the trainer and broke down in tears.

Speaking after the tournament, in a video shared on Twitter by the women’s Tennis Association(WTA), the tennis star told the crowd amidst tears:

Thank you guys. I’m sorry I couldn’t do it today, I tried, but I just couldn’t do it. Thanks to Jehovah for letting me come out here and Bianca you’re a great sports person, woman, and thanks for my team it’s been a tough year, but we’ll keep going.

At a press conference, the tennis star spoke of her injury saying:

It just got worse. My whole back completely spasmed to a point where I couldn’t sleep and I couldn’t really move. I was just trying to figure out how do you play a match where you have no rotation.

She added:

I love playing here. I love the crowd. I mean it would’ve been a wonderful match regardless of the outcome 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.

Many fans have since taken to social media to offer support, with one writing:

“Worst sight to see a sports person cry! None the less, Serena [you] have been a great example for all the young girls [and] everyone so to speak out there to how to stay competitive [and] humble all the while!”

Another added:

This is so unfortunate but health is first and foremost. Serena is and has always been gracious.” While a third wrote: Seeing Serena cry is making me cry. OMG. Totally devastated for this Queen!

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