Joy Drop: Canada shows its love for the GOAT, Serena Williams

Hello, friends! What a wonderful week of emotion, reflection and great joy. I write you from the gorgeous red sandy beaches on Prince Edward Island. Visiting Frosty Treat, a local dairy bar in Kensington, brings me joy. Here I am with my favourite order: a nutty dip. Yes, ice cream brings me all the joy. I hope you are enjoying the tastes of summer!

Let's begin with the news that had everyone in their feelings about the G.O.A.T.

Just 24 hours before she played at the National Bank Open in Toronto, Serena Williams published a piece in Vogue magazine announcing her retirement from tennis after the U.S. Open this summer. While she did not beat Belinda Bencic, she had the heart of the crowd.

Thank you, <a href="https://twitter.com/serenawilliams?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@serenawilliams</a>.<br>Thank you for everything.<br><br>Love,<br>Toronto<a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/NBO22?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#NBO22</a> <a href="https://t.co/Z2cHoVwsXc">pic.twitter.com/Z2cHoVwsXc</a>

The shouts of "We love you, Serena!" were loud and proud. And the National Bank Open gifted her (and her daughter Olympia) Toronto Maple Leafs and Toronto Raptors jerseys. Watching tennis fans cheer on a woman who has battled everything from racism in media, to struggles with maternal health, offers us a perspective and an opportunity to reflect on a formidable athlete and wondrous woman. 

My first in-person tennis match was to watch Serena at the National Bank Open in 2019 and I will never forget the speed and power of her serves and the sound from the court. She is an athlete whose life journey we follow, and marvel at her sincerity and honesty despite the limelight. There will be tears upon her retirement because she has been such an