‘If the Bounces Had Gone Her Way…’- Marvelous Insight on How an Athletic Venus Williams Almost Thumped John McEnroe as a Kid

Richard Williams laid the foundation for the astounding careers of Venus and Serena Williams. He trained them diligently, and when he thought they got better, he approached some of the famous coaches to give training. Paul Cohen, the legendary coach of John McEnroe and Pete Sampras, had taken the Williams daughters under his wings. Later on, the Williams sisters also got the opportunity to play with the two tennis legends.

This all happened because of the sheer resilience of their father, Richard Williams, who wanted his daughters to have nothing less than the best.

How did Venus and Serena Williams meet John McEnroe and Pete Sampras?

Venus and Serena Williams were training under the aegis of their father when he went and contacted Paul Cohen. Martin Baldridge wrote in his book, ‘So you want to win Wimbledon?’ that Cohen had agreed to coach the Williams sisters at the age of seven and six. According to the writer, Cohen was, “astounded by their phenomenal athletic abilities”

Moreover, Cohen said, “I had never seen a six-year-old as strong as Serena and I’d never seen a potential woman champion as athletic and as graceful as Venus.” He coached them for a year and called his former students Pete Sampras and John McEnroe to watch Venus play in Brentwood.

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As per the writer, Venus Williams had shown capabilities in herself. The book stated, “Venus later got to hit with both pros and told reporters afterward that she felt she could have beaten McEnroe if the bounces had gone her way!”

A legacy set by the Williams sisters

The duo changed the face of women’s tennis. They entered the court with serious faces and focused eyes and just like that dominated women’s tennis for almost two decades. Moreover, both the sisters raised their voices for equal pay and because of their popularity brought fame to women’s tennis. This paved the way for a more egalitarian sport.

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Venus Williams won seven grand slam titles in her career and Serena Williams won 23. Additionally, they also won 14 grand slam titles in the doubles category together.