Just a day before her dominant victory at the 2009 Australian Open, where Serena Williams clinched her fourth Melbourne title with a decisive 6–0, 6–3 win over Dinara Safina, the champion revealed a personal battle often concealed by athletes: her struggle with anger and perfectionism. “I have mental issues, too, so… I think everyone has mental issues. I get really angry and I’m a perfectionist. I have a slight case of OCD,” Williams confessed. This inner fire, a double-edged sword in her career, has manifested publicly, most notably during the 2018 US Open. Now, her childhood coach, Rick Macci, is adding a new layer to this narrative.

Serena Williams’ fierce competitive spirit has long defined her legacy, but so have her fiery outbursts! Her history of on-court anger dates back to the 2004 US Open, where she furiously confronted a chair umpire after a clear winner was called wide, yelling, “It was not out!” and adding, “Do I need to speak another language?”

Then came 2009 US Open that saw a notorious meltdown as she threatened a line judge over a foot fault. Two years later, in 2011 US Open final, her shout of “C’mon!” during a winner led to a replay. The 2018 final against Naomi Osaka showcased another eruption, as she clashed with umpire Carlos Ramos in an emotional display. Beyond those headlines, her childhood coach, Rick Macci, recently shared a softer, formative tale.

The legendary coach credited Serena’s father, Richard Williams, for gently but firmly teaching her how to channel that passion early on, transforming raw emotion into unmatched greatness. Taking to his X account recently, Rick added, “Serena slammed her Racquet and cracked it. RW KING OF LIFE LESSONS yelled what the hell you doing. Pit Bull explained. The Compton Comedian said if your going to break it do it your Very Best Baby Girl. RW jackhammers the stick 20 times into Mr. Court. GOODNITE.”

From time to time, Serena’s childhood coach, Rick Macci, offers fans heartwarming glimpses into her early days, often spotlighting their visionary father, Richard Williams. One such moment came last December when Macci took to X (formerly Twitter) to share a delightful anecdote: “Richard Williams is the funniest and most honest guy I ever met. He said from day one. Venus throws her entire body at the ball. Serena throws her beads at the balls. The wife throws a good meal every night. Every day I just throw a tantrum!” he quoted. 

In a past interview with OLBG, Macci revealed how Richard could read Serena’s emotions like an open book. He said. “I started to think early on- these two girls they’re going to be 6ft and 5ft 11in tall. They’re going to seriously develop. I knew I could help to develop the technical aspects. I told Richard Williams, ‘You’ve got the next female Michael Jordan on your hands’, he put his arm around me and said, ‘No, I’ve got the next two” It’s those life lessons, wrapped in tough love, that helped shape Serena’s iron mental game.

And now, years after hanging up her racquet, Serena herself admits the ache lingers. 

Serena Williams opened up about her longing for center court

Serena Williams’ last professional tennis match, a three-set contest against Ajla Tomljanović, played under the lights of Arthur Ashe Stadium, concluded 957 days ago. That gripping encounter at the 2022 US Open wasn’t just a match, it was a curtain call on a career that began when a 14-year-old Serena 1st turned pro in 1995. Her journey, marked by power, poise, and history-making wins, includes 23 GS titles, the final one coming in 2017 at the AO while two months pregnant.

Now a celebrated entrepreneur and mother of two, Serena was recently honored as one of TIME’s ‘100 Most Influential People’. In her interview with senior correspondent Sean Gregory, she was asked a heartfelt question: Does she still miss the court?

Serena’s answer, as raw and honest as ever, echoed what so many fans wish for! “I miss it a lot, with all my heart. I miss it because I’m healthy. If I couldn’t walk, or if I was so out of it, I wouldn’t miss it as much. I think I’m healthy because I didn’t overplay,” she added.

Though Serena has stepped away from professional tennis, her passion for the court still burns bright. And while her fiery moments of anger were well-documented, they never dimmed her legacy. She remains a timeless icon: a beacon of greatness, inspiring millions, like the brightest star in the night sky.