Despite Addressing Her With GOAT Title, Serena Williams’ Childhood Coach Lays Bare a Major Aspect Where Russian Rival Held the Edge – ‘She Was in a Bubble’

Published 09/19/2023, 11:59 AM EDT

While Serena Williams has had an illustrious tennis career, it is difficult to believe that she lacks anything on the court. Such has been the greatness of the American legend that she is often considered the best player to have played the sport. She took up tennis early on in her life when she was just four years old. Compatriot Rick Macci became her childhood coach along with her father, Richard Williams.

Recently, Macci pointed out a peculiar quality that Serena lacked as compared to her rival, Maria Sharapova, despite calling Serena the G.O.A.T. Serena and Sharapova were strong competitors on the court. Although the American legend dominated their matches, Sharapova didn’t go down without giving a fight. Her unique quality was lauded by the 68-year-old.

Rick Macci reveals what Serena Williams lacked

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Recently, on the ATP Tennis Radio Podcast, Rick Macci made a special appearance. During the conversation, he talked about a variety of subjects like coaching kids and working with parents and stars like Serena and Andy Roddick. In one such segment, he compared Serena to Sharapova.

Talking about this, Macci revealed, “Serena checked every box and created a few more, but you got to check every box, but the mental part how you handle pressure and the ability to forget, you got 20 seconds to flip it in your mind like it had happened 20 years ago, you come back out.”

Further, crediting Serena’s rival, Macci continued, “That’s why I love Sharapova, even at 11. She was in a bubble. I called it even though she was limited athletically. She had that mental box already there. It was amazing. I didn’t see it in Serena.”

This is not the first time Macci has praised Sharapova. Earlier this year, he praised the Russian star’s ‘uncanny’ quality.

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When Macci was full of praise for Sharapova

The 68-year-old legendary coach has always believed that Serena is the GOAT of tennis. Despite this, he has never shied away from praising her rival, Sharapova. Lauding her ‘uncanny’ quality, Macci said, “@MariaSharapova at age 11 had this innate uncanny quality to lock in and throw away the key on every single point and be in a bubble. Best laser focus of any young player I ever taught.”

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However, Sharapova’s career came to an early end as she retired after playing in the Australian Open. Do you agree with Macci’s assessment of Serena and Sharapova? Let us know your views in the comments below.

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Written by:

Vatsal Shah is a tennis author at EssentiallySports. With a Bachelor's degree in engineering, he is a die hard fan of tennis and sports in general. He is an ardent follower of Rafael Nadal and is inspired by his never-say-die attitude.

Edited by:

Bhavani Singh

Despite Addressing Her With GOAT Title, Serena Williams’ Childhood Coach Lays Bare a Major Aspect Where Russian Rival Held the Edge – ‘She Was in a Bubble’

Rick Macci reveals what Serena Williams lacked

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When Macci was full of praise for Sharapova