The previous coach of Venus and Serena Williams believed that the pair had been destined for greatness in tennis from the very begin. However that optimism was comparatively conservative in comparison with that of the sisters’ father.
With an exceptional 30 Grand Slam titles between them, the Michigan-born siblings are probably the most well-known sisters within the historical past of tennis, with the youthful Serena extensively thought of to be one of many best gamers of all time.
They had been coached for almost all of their careers by their father Richard Williams, however earlier than he took on that duty full-time, he entrusted the duty to famend tennis coach Rick Macci.
The celebrated sports activities coach has a vastly profitable monitor report, having coached the likes of Andy Roddick, Jennifer Capriati and Maria Sharapova. However when he took on the job of taking care of the Williams sisters in 1991 once they had been simply 10 and 9 years outdated, he knew that he had one thing particular in entrance of him and had nice hopes for the older Venus particularly, one thing he was shortly corrected on by the women’ father.
Talking to OLBG, Macci stated: “I began to suppose early on- these two ladies they’re going to be 6ft and 5ft 11in tall. They’re going to noticeably develop.
“I knew I may assist to develop the technical points. I advised Richard Williams, ‘You’ve acquired the following feminine Michael Jordan in your arms’, he put his arm round me and stated, ‘No, I’ve acquired the following two’.
“That is what folks don’t perceive, though Serena at the moment wasn’t fairly as developed because the older Venus, she knew the place the ball was going earlier than you even hit it to her. She was at all times going to turn into a tremendous athlete- she was sturdy, quick, nimble and will even do the splits. The Williams’ dad and mom hit the genetic jackpot with Venus and Serena.
“Even after we first performed tag as a warm-up at some point, Serena was so aggressive. When she was ‘it’, she performed with a closed fist! I needed to inform her, ‘No, you’ve acquired to play with an open hand!’. She was brutal, and once I inform her these tales now that she’s older and a mom herself, she’s simply crying with laughter.
“When Serena misplaced video games, she labored even more durable. She had that elite mindset from a younger age. She’s the most effective competitor of all time and one of many best feminine athletes I’ve ever seen.”
Though Venus was the primary to interrupt via as successful in ladies’s tennis she was quickly overtaken by her youthful sister. Serena would win a report 23 Grand Slam Girls’s titles, whereas Venus claimed seven, together with 5 Wimbledon titles.