'Have some class': Eugenie Bouchard savaged over Serena Williams tweet
Canadian tennis star Eugenie Bouchard incurred the wrath of Serena Williams’ considerable fan-base, suggesting she could have won the Canadian Open herself after Williams retired from the final.
Williams pulled out of the Rogers Cup final against Bouchard’s fellow Canadian star Bianca Andreescu after just four games.
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The official reason given for the retirement was an upper back injury, while Williams herself could be heard on the umpires microphone complaining of back spasms.
The 19-year-old Andreescu offered a sporting gesture for Williams after her retirement, but it was Bouchard’s tweet that drew the ire of Williams’s fans.
Bouchard, who was knocked out of the tournament in the first round by Andreescu, tweeted “Sooooo basically I coulda won the Rogers cup,” accompanied by some crying-laughing emojis.
Suffice it to say, this did not go down well with Williams’ supporters, who labelled the Canadian ‘self-centred’.
Sooooo basically I coulda won the Rogers cup 🤣🤣🤣
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) August 11, 2019
Talk about being self centred. You can barely stay on the court for an hour without getting swept. Never mind last an entire week in a tournament. Now not to mention youre trying to steal the attention away because you cant stand not getting the attention.
— Justin Rodgers (@JustinRodgers29) August 11, 2019
Have some class, Genie.
— Brett (@sportsareok) August 11, 2019
Let me correct this tweet for you
Congrats Bianca on winning the Rogers Cup. I wish I could ever get out of the first round and I’m going to work really hard trying to be as good as you are. What a touching moment to see Serena crying and have to retire from the match. Congrats— Sean Sean THE leprechaun (@inMBwetrust) August 11, 2019
You played very well versus Bianca but come on now. pic.twitter.com/4RYqo5T4Le
— Joseph U. (@JUmali68) August 11, 2019
Wow. You best delete this ASAP.
— Blondie (@blondefan1) August 11, 2019
Kidding 🙄
— Genie Bouchard (@geniebouchard) August 11, 2019
Bouchard later had to post again, simply saying ‘kidding’, in an attempt to defuse any tension that still existed between her and fans of Williams.
The injury-enforced retirement was a bitter pill to swallow for Williams, whose last tournament victory was her incredible run at the 2017 Australian Open, which she won despite being several weeks pregnant.
Emotional Williams retires from Canadian final
Serena Williams’ emotional mid-match retirement in the Rogers Cup final has sparked a mixed reaction in the tennis community.
Serena's first US Open tune-up ended in dramatic fashion on Sunday, retiring with a back injury while trailing Canadian teenager Bianca Andreescu 3-1 in the first set.
Williams, who hopes to chase a record-equalling 24th career grand slam title at the US Open, seemed fine on court but suddenly sat crying in her chair before deciding to retire 19 minutes into the match with a back injury.
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Serena then broke down in tears again during her runner-up speech.
"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."
