Legendary Coach Rick Macci Compares Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray to Spiderman and Batman

Legendary coach Rick Macci recently found renewed worldwide fame after the release of the movie ‘King Richard.’ Once called the ‘coach of prodigies,’ he talks about his old students who went on to be successful in tennis. He also talks about big players, like Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal, and their mental attributes.

Not only did Macci coach the Williams sisters, but he also was the coach for Maria Sharapova. Moreover, Andy Roddick and Jennifer Capriati, too, had been his students. All of these players went on to become World No. 1 in their careers.

Macci compares Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, and Djokovic to Spider-Men

In a podcast interview with television and film producer Craig Shapiro, Macci talked about Andy Roddick, first. He mentioned how Roddick always took bad matches or losses in stride.

After that, he immediately moved on to talking about the mental side of tennis, where he mentions the Big Four.

Macci talks about the mental strength of  Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, and Andy Murray have.”What separates great from good?” Macci says. “There’s a lot of people that are good. Great is rare air. That’s a special fraternity. It’s the mental (aspect)- having a crazy work ethic, you gotta have a great footspeed.”

“Look at (Roger) Federer, Nadal, Djokovic, Murray– all these guys can move like Spider-Man and Batman!” Macci exclaims as he talks about their footwork.

Macci praises Federer’s serve and forehand

Once again, Macci talks about Roger Federer. Before that, he mentions how footwork and mental fortitude can get a great player through the worst of days. “When you are nervous, you can still run around the court and win matches. So if you don’t have amazing movement you’re not gonna survive those rainy days,” Macci explains.

Talking about Roger Federer and his skills, Macci continues. “Then you get someone like Federer- the forehand, the serve, world-class, it’s crazy!” Additionally, he also talks about Novak Djokovic, who, according to Macci, “has even more bases covered.”

Conversely, he talks about athletic ability without the mental determination to go along with it. For example, he mentions Gael Monfils and Nick Kyrgios. “Just because you’re the best athlete, Kyrgios, Monfils, they don’t have any science. The mind controls the body, that’s the wild card,” Macci finishes.

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