Venus and Serena Williams became the greatest players and dominated the sport like no other. Of course, they had tremendous talent and worked hard to reach the pinnacle. However, the fact that weighed in equally was receiving the right guidance. They were lucky enough to be coached by people who made decisions in their best interest.
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The Williams sisters took their initial steps into professional tennis under the supervision of their father and renowned tennis coach Rick Macci. These two not only sharpened their skills but also directed them towards the bigger picture.
Macci speaks about the difference in perspective
In an interview with Dave Melzer, while speaking about the difference between good and great, Macci addressed the importance of focusing on future and planning accordingly. “Venus and Serena at the after party when we were at the red carpet said Rick we were literally brainwashed to be no.1,” he said, in context to the Academy Awards’ invitation they received for the movie ‘King Richard’ this year.
“See, when they were 10 and 11, I never talked about Capriati or Graf or Hingis or Seles or Sharapova. I mean, I talked about them. I wasn’t talking about 11- and 12-year-olds,” Macci explained.
Thereafter he added, “I said Capriati would get that Seles would get that. See, I am looking different picture and that’s the way I coach. It’s always about the future. I don’t really change strokes, even though I am pretty good at that. I change lives.”
The American has shaped five World no.1s. He gave the tennis world players such as Maria Sharapova, Jennifer Capriati, Andy Roddick and the legendary Serena and Venus Williams.
What Venus and Serena Williams are up to these days?
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The 23-time Grand Slam champion Serena hung her racket this season. After staying in the sidelines for a year because of a hamstring injury, she made a comeback in Wimbledon. However, soon after the Grand Slam of grass, she realized it was time to say goodbye to her illustrious career.
She marked the end of her 27-year-long career in this season’s US Open. Williams performed her last dance in her home major surrounded by fans, friends, and family.
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Watch this story: Nick Kyrgios’ uncontrollable rant at the chair umpire in the Miami Open 2022
Speaking of Venus Williams, the seven-time Grand Slam champion also made a comeback this year and is still looking for her first win of the season. The former World no.1 faced opening round defeats throughout the American hard-court swing.