“I wouldn’t be Serena if there wasn’t Venus,” said Serena Williams of her elder sister, Venus Williams, after the last match of her career at the 2022 US Open. Sisterhood, loyalty, and family – terms hard to come across in competitive tennis – but certain things have been unwavering for the iconic duo. Both sisters came a long way from rags to riches, curating their craft to become the most high-profile athletes from the crime-ridden streets of Compton. Contrary to belief, their dynamic was the same before they reshaped the landscape of modern tennis. However, it was the elder sister, Venus, who always stood up for the 23-time Slam winner. Their childhood coach witnessed that firsthand.

Macci, who described the sisters as “two peas in a pod”, became the duo’s first professional coach from 1991 to 1995. Their father, Richard Williams – responsible for introducing the sport to his girls – chose Macci as their coach, four years before pulling them out of the academy and taking full coaching responsibilities. However, their time with the American coach in Florida helped Macci understand that the Williams sisters were inseparable. That wasn’t all.

The 70-year-old star coach saw moments where Venus always put her younger sister first, perfectly echoing Serena’s admission from 2022: “She’s the only reason that Serena Williams ever existed.” On Sunday, Macci took to X and explained, “Venus was an amazing big sister. Always took care of Serena FIRST. Motivated Serena FIRST. Would hug SERENA First. More concerned about Serena FIRST than herself. Epic Life lessons from the Compton FIRST FAMILY and did they achieve a lot of FIRST.”

His recent support of the WTA icon came after the Serena featured in a surprise cameo at the Super Bowl LIX halftime show, alongside rap artist Kendrick Lamar. Serena took the internet by storm after crip walking to Kenny’s diss track ‘Not Like Us’, aimed at her rumored ex-boyfriend Drake. And, this wasn’t the first time she crip walked.

She celebrated her gold medal win over Maria Sharapova at Wimbledon Centre Court similarly. But, because the hip-hop dance move is branded inappropriate due to its affiliation with gang culture, Williams courted staunch criticism from many. However, Venus all was cheers as she gave a shoutout to her younger sister’s electrifying performance in the Caesars Superdome. “Lil sis killing it @serenawilliams 🔥❤️‍🔥,” she wrote on Instagram with a clip of Serena’s Super Bowl performance.

While Serena called time on her stellar career in 2022, the elder sister never made that call. Though currently inactive on the tour, she has yet to announce a formal retirement from the sport. She last appeared at the Miami Open in 2024 where she suffered a straight-set loss in the opening round.

As for their childhood coach Macci, the American coach keeps himself occupied by sharing his intricate thoughts on several topics, with his recent comments landing Jannik Sinner in the mix.

Serena Williams’ ex-coach Rick Macci says Jannik Sinner’s doping ban can prove beneficial

Italian trailblazer Jannik Sinner’s achievements in 2024 were largely clouded by his doping controversy. The World No. 1 twice tested positive for the banned anabolic clostebol in March but was awarded a ‘guilt-free’ verdict by the International Tennis Integrity Association (ITIA). Though this allowed him to compete and lift several top-tier titles, the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) didn’t let the Italian player take a free pass and appealed to the Court of Arbitration for Sports (CAS).

Its appeal challenged the independent tribunal’s finding and sought a 1-2 year ban on Sinner. However, before the final decision could arrive in April this year, the 23-year-old came to a case resolution agreement with WADA and accepted a three-month doping suspension from the tour. While many notable personalities lament and question the inconsistencies in his case, some, like Serena Williams’s ex-coach, Rick Macci, find it advantageous.

Taking to X, Macci highlighted that the ATP ranking leader would utilize this suspension period to fine-tune his on-court skills to come back stronger. “Greatness takes a negative and turns it into a positive. Sinner will take the next 90 days to work on his little motor skills and handle the racquet softer when out of Position like a Magician. He has the overall Juice now on a few shots he will be more Loose. @janniksin.” 

Sinner will be eligible to return on May 4, meaning he won’t have to skip any Slam events. The Italian player will likely return by entering his home ATP 1000 Masters event in Rome, ahead of his preparations for the French Open.