‘It Was Martina!’- Former Coach Rick Macci Shares Venus Williams’ Brave Behavior During Her Junior Years

Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam champion, is famous for her powerful aura. However, it isn’t something she gained over time. Rather, it has always been a part of her. In fact, her strong mental built is one of the defining characteristics of her’s.

Rick Macci, Williams’ former tennis coach, has known her since she was a teenager. He has examined every trait of the American legend and recently opened up about how fearless Venus’ younger self was.

Rick Macci about young Venus Williams

Macci often shares stories from the time when the Williams sisters were training to storm the WTA. He enjoys speaking about the distinct features that made them stand a little taller than others. Therefore, like a proud father, he shared one story that showcases Venus’ bold behavior beautifully. He wrote, “When I took 14-year-old Venus Williams to her pro debut in Oakland California in Oct 1994. She never shared a practice court before.”

“A lefty joined our court indoors with her coach. Venus said Rick tell that lady to move over at the net as I’m going to hit her. It was Martina!” he added. Martina Navratilova is one of the best players to ever grace the sport. She has 18 Grand Slams under her name and has won 167 career titles.

Read more: ‘Step a Foot Forward and Attack’- Venus Williams Reveals the Mantra to Win Big Matches

Further, she has claimed 31 won major doubles and 10 major mixed doubles titles and held the ranking of World No.1 for a record 332 weeks, which is only second to the German legend Steffi Graf.

What is Venus Up to these days?

The former World No.1 kept out of the circuit for almost a year because of an injury she incurred after Wimbledon Championship 2021. Though a few days ago, she informed her fans that she has started practicing on the grass courts of London.

While her chances of returning to the game during the grass swing looked bleak, her coach Eric Hechtman decided to travel alongside Serena Williams. And Venus shocked her fans by enlisting her name in the mixed doubles category of the grass-based Grand Slam.

The 42-year-old collaborated with the British tennis ace and former doubles World No.1 Jamie Murray for the Wimbledon. They started their journey in the tournament by locking horns with New Zealand’s Michael Venus and polish tennis professional Alicja Rosolska.

Watch this story: Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal, Serena Williams, and Others In The Greatest Comebacks in Tennis

Williams and Murray outclassed the duo in the second round at court-1 by 6-3, 6 (3)-7 (7), 6-3. Thereafter, they squared off with the British pair Alicia Barnett and Jonny O’Mara in the round of 1 but failed to secure a seat in the quarterfinals by losing the match 6-3, 4-6, 6 (16)-7 (18).