Rick Macci discloses the ‘secret’ technique used by him and Richard Williams that forced Venus and Serena Williams to train for long hours

The legendary coach recalls how the different perspective helped shape the careers of two of the greatest players ever to grace the court.

Rick Macci discloses the ‘secret’ technique used by him and Richard Williams that forced Venus and Serena Williams to train for long hours

(L) Rick Macci and Venus Williams, (R) Serena Williams, Richard Williams and Venus Williams (Images via Glorious Sports, IMAGO)

Legendary tennis coach Rick Macci‘s expertise on the court remains unmatched. Having trained some of the finest players who made it big on the professional level, no one stands in comparison to Venus Williams and Serena Williams. The Williams sisters turned professional at the age of 14.

Along with the professional guidance of Macci, the two were under the constant observation of their father, Richard Williams. 

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Richard was the first to observe the talent the two girls possessed and turned himself into their coach to guide them to glory. Both would go on to win Grand Slam titles in all possible disciplines.

Both won two Grand Slam titles in mixed doubles. In women’s doubles, they always played together, winning 14 Majors. In singles, Serena took a massive lead, retiring with 23 singles to her name. Venus, currently active, has won seven singles Majors. 

Macci recently took to his X (formerly Twitter) account to open up on the strategy used by Richard to keep the girls on the court. Coming from a humble background, tennis was the only way for them to make it big in their life and Richard realized without long hours on the court it wasn’t possible.

But to keep them in training as teenagers would not be easy. So Macci and Richard came up with a joint method to keep the two girls interested in playing. The two came up with ways to keep the atmosphere all fun and positive and not intense for practice, which made the girls stay on the court. 

The best quality of Richard Williams is he Never made the girls practice. We created such a FUN POSITIVE HARD WORKING ENVIROMENT that Venus Serena and even the Dog Loved to be on the court and Smile to hopefully someday go that extra Mile. @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams
Tweeted Macci.

Venus Williams gets a rousing reception on return to Indian Wells

While Serena is busy with her entrepreneurship and mother duties for her younger daughter, Adira, Venus will be back in action next week. The 43-year-old will be playing in the women’s singles at the 2024 Indian Wells Open. 

Venus and Serena Williams
Young Venus and Serena Williams (Image via IMAGO)

Currently ranked 484th in the world, it was not possible for Venus to play based on her ranking. But her historic record saw her get a wildcard to play in the main draw directly. It will be her season debut when she plays in the tennis paradise. 

Following the announcement of her wildcard, many fans on the internet questioned why she was given the wildcard. With the five-time Wimbledon winner out of action and form for a while now, many felt the wildcard could have been given to a younger and upcoming player.

However, all these claims were shot down just one practice session later. As the legend hit the court in California to prepare for the event, she had a rousing reception from fans who were in attendance. Just another testament to only the form going away, not the legend of such stalwarts of the game. 

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