“Knife Through Butter”: Rick Macci Details Maria Sharapova’s Unknown Left-Handed Forehands
Follow Us
Maria Sharapova is one of the most well-known names in professional tennis. The 34-year-old is a household name across the world, because of her incredible talent and career. Throughout her career, Sharapova played tennis right-handed and did so remarkably well, winning 5 Grand Slam titles in the process.
In a recent interview, her former coach, the legendary Rick Macci, shared details about his time training Maria. He revealed that he tried to make her play left-handed, but in vain.
Maria Sharapova had a dominant left-handed forehand
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
In his interview with Eric Han, Macci reveals how Maria Sharapova actually trained with him for a month. When asked if he really did try to make her play left-handed, Macci confirmed it. “That is not a rumor, that is true,” he said.
Rick then talked in awe of Sharapova’s game as a leftie. “Her left-handed forehand was one of the best I’ve ever seen. Knife through butter, smooth as silk.” Then, he compared it to her right-handed forehand at the time.
Trending
Roger Federer Breaks Partnership With Billion Dollar Worth Italian Brand Days After Coco Gauff’s Stunning Commercial Appearance
April 12, 2024 07:23 PM EDT
Stefanos Tsitsipas’ Girlfriend Paula Badosa Provides Saddening Health Update After Being Forced To Retire Against Aryna Sabalenka
April 19, 2024 03:58 AM EDT
Tennis News: Rafael Nadal Confirms Retirement ; Doping-Banned Mikael Ymer Announces Comeback; Stefanos Tsitsipas Dubbed as Hypocrite
April 15, 2024 06:22 PM EDT
Mad in Love, Stefanos Tsitsipas Delivers the Most Romantic Message for ‘Biggest Blessing’ Paula Badosa
April 16, 2024 01:23 PM EDT
Barcelona Open 2024: Stefanos Tsitsipas vs Dušan Lajović; Preview, Head-to-Head, Prediction
April 20, 2024 07:14 AM EDT
Get instantly notified of the hottest Tennis stories via Google! Click on Follow Us and Tap the Blue Star.
Follow Us
“Her forehand with the rightie was all jammed up… No matter what we did, it was flat, the elbow came back in. She had a lot of sidespin,” Macci explained.
Maria Sharapova Wears Sustainable Dress Made From Water Bottles at Britain’s Fashion Awards
Clearly, the former coach preferred Maria Sharapova to play with her left. Not only did he praise her left-handed game, but also her mental fortitude. “Maria (Sharapova) might have been the best (mentally) player I ever had.”
Sharapova’s full-time academy insisted she plays rightie
However, it was not to be, as the officials at Bollettieri then came down to the Macci Academy. Macci explains what happened, “The IMG (Bollettieri) boys caught wind of this and they came down and didn’t want her to change. They kinda convinced the dad.”
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Left-handed forehand!@MariaSharapova takes another epic rally against Kontaveit! #RC19 pic.twitter.com/GhPPfsOxMm
— wta (@WTA) August 6, 2019
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Not many know this, but Sharapova is actually naturally left-handed. Despite playing with her right throughout her career, the Russian is actually ambidextrous, as is evident in some of her points where she suddenly changes hands and surprises opponents.
“Very Intimidating”: Maria Sharapova Follows Will Smith, JJ Watt, and Others to Invest in Cryptocurrency App