Rick Macci has had a major influence on Venus and Serena Williams’ careers. He became the Williams sisters’ first professional coach. Further, he struck a great relationship with their father, Richard Williams. This enabled the two to draw a successful path for the Williams sisters to achieve big things in tennis.

Subsequently, the partnership bore fruit as Serena went on to win the US Open title in 1999, her maiden Grand Slam title. Venus followed it up by clinching the Wimbledon Championships and the US Open the next year. Recently, Macci highlighted the importance of spotting talents at a young age and supporting them.

Serena Williams’ former coach takes LeBron James’ example

During an interview, Macci talked about the importance of spotting talented children and giving them the right coaching. Taking James’ example, he said, “If I’d have had Lebron James at 10 years old, there’s no doubt I could have made him number one in the world and that’s nothing about me. I’m not trying to be like that, it’s just that I would have put you know, a Federer forehand and a Djokovic backhand and a Roddick serve on a guy 6′ 8″ that could jump over the rainbow and just wants to knock you out. He would have brought a different athlete.”

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Further, he added, “We talked of Medvedev and Sampras or Djokovic or now Alcaraz who I’ve done a lot of stuff on lately. These amazing athletes that are not from the United States. This would have been a whole different type of person, Lebron, and put a racket in his hand but we don’t get those and this country doesn’t want to find that needle in the haystack.”

Macci hopes to see Serena back in action soon

Earlier this week, the 67-year-old said that Serena plans to play again after her hamstring injury last year cut short her season. The 23-time Grand Slam champion last played at Wimbledon. However, she had to retire in the opening round after slipping on the wet grass and injuring her hamstring.

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Can Serena find her mojo back on her comeback? Let us know your views in the comments below.