Serena and Venus Williams are the ultimate examples of a relentless pursuit of excellence. Together, they hold an impressive array of titles, including 30 singles Grand Slam titles, 14 doubles titles, 4 mixed doubles titles, 3 Olympic gold medals in doubles and one, and a total of 122 WTA Tour singles titles. Their passion and vision have inspired countless fans. Recently, their childhood coach Rick Macci shared just how “hungry” they were in their early training days.

The Williams sisters began dominating Grand Slam tournaments in the late 1990s and early 2000s. Serena won her first major at the 1999 US Open, while Venus claimed her first at the 2000 Wimbledon. This early success set the stage for their enduring legacy in tennis. But before they became pros, they had a unique tradition. Rick Macci shared a fascinating tidbit about their endurance on X.

The veteran coach wrote, “Every Friday night Venus and Serena went to the All You Can Eat Seafood Buffet at Grenelefe Resort. Both girls never ever lost were undefeated and the Serve went to another level! The Compton Comets always very Hungry on and off the court! @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams.”

Imagine a shopping cart overflowing with tennis balls, a sight that became a staple in the early days of Venus and Serena Williams’ training. Their father would collect used balls from local country clubs and fill the cart to the brim. This was the secret to their legendary serves – hours upon hours of practice, with a seemingly endless supply of balls at their disposal.

As they honed their skills, both sisters developed serves that would become among the fastest in women’s tennis. Serena’s fastest serve was recorded at 128.6 mph (206.4 km/h) during the 2013 Australian Open, while Venus reached an impressive 129 mph (207.6 km/h) at the 2007 US Open.

Richard Williams was known for his unconventional coaching methods, and he managed every aspect of their daughters’ careers, focusing on instilling resilience and competitive spirit into them. Although there isn’t specific information about Richard having a food-related tradition, Rick Macci’s recent mention of that highlights another aspect of how he managed their daily routines.

Rick Macci recalls King Richard’s “chicken” related story

Everyone knows that King Richard was the mastermind behind Venus and Serena’s tennis dynasty, guiding them from their preschool days to their historic Grand Slam victories. By the time Venus was 18 and Serena 17, they had already made their mark on the tennis world. Their youth was a whirlwind of rigorous training sessions, with Richard pushing them to their limits from dawn till dusk. His unorthodox methods were designed to instill a “rough, tough mentality the world has never seen,” and they certainly worked.

Richard’s coaching style was a fascinating blend of tough love and humor. Rick Macci took to his X on March 12 to share one of his fun rituals on the court. He wrote, “Richard would always eat POPEYES CHICKEN on the court and watch the little Comets. The guy was undefeated with the 6 barrel. Very aggressive and always attacked. He would always chirp at Vee and Meek, ‘Hey girls, eat chicken, do not be one!’ This quirky approach not only made the Williams sisters laugh but also toughened them up for the competitive world of tennis.

In the end, Richard’s methods paid off in a big way, as both sisters developed the resilience to bounce back from setbacks. Serena famously rebounded in matches like the 2012 US Open final, while Venus overcame self-doubt and health issues to reach the 2017 Australian Open final despite battling an autoimmune disease.

Additionally, Richard’s innovative approach extended far beyond the court. He crafted a meticulous plan for his daughters’ success, even before they were born. Inspired by Virginia Ruzici’s tournament win at the 1978 Roland Garros, he envisioned Venus and Serena as tennis legends. He learned tennis through self-study and emphasized mental toughness and skill acquisition over junior tournaments. Ultimately, this drove the sisters to focus on performance goals, leading to their enduring success.