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32 Years after Taking Life’s Biggest Gamble, Serena Williams’ Childhood Coach Divulges Bold ‘King’ Richard’s Reassurance over True Compton Scenario

Published 07/30/2023, 11:28 AM EDT

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In the world of tennis, Venus and Serena Williams are like shining stars, known for their incredible success. Behind their greatness is their father Richard Williams who guided and supported them from a young age. King Richard was so sure of their success, he even said that they’ll one day make him a million dollars.

But there was another important figure who played a key role in building their destinies, Rick Macci, a famous coach who ventured into uncharted territory and discovered two of the finest talents the world of tennis has ever witnessed.

Macci’s adventure of unveiling Compton’s hidden gems

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Macci recently took to twitter and reminisced about the time he was invited by the Williams Sisters’ father in ’91 to the troubled neighborhood of Compton. Macci’s tweet read “Was asked why I went to Compton in 1991. When Richard called me and said this will the best decision you will ever make in your life and I promise I wont get you shot I had to meet this guy.He was right and I could see with the right help VW and MEEK just needed a shot!”

In 1991, Richard Williams invited Rick Macci to visit Compton, a city known for its troubles. Macci didn’t know much about the place, but Richard Williams convinced him it would be a life changing experience. Though a little worried, Macci agreed to go see what awaited him in Compton. As Macci recalled, “I didn’t know anything about Compton at the time, this was 1991. I just heard like riots and stuff like that, and he was the funniest guy ever, he goes, ‘Hey Rick, I promise I won’t get you shot.'” But the visit was obviously a transformative one, as it introduced him to the Williams sisters.

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Rick Macci’s profound impact on Venus and Serena’s journey

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When Rick Macci visited Compton, he saw something remarkable in the Williams sisters, Venus and Serena. He really admired their talent and determination on the tennis court. After watching Venus play, Macci said she could be as great as Michael Jordan in tennis. Richard Williams, their father, laughed and said both of his daughters were incredibly talented, not just one. He knew they both had the potential to become tennis superstars.

‘He Never Ever Blinked’: Coach Rick Macci on the Determination of Venus and Serena Williams’ Father Richard Williams

After that meeting, Rick Macci became an integral part of Venus and Serena’s tennis journey. He used his coaching skills to help improve their game, with Richard Williams supporting them every step of the way. The alliance led to 2 of the most influential champions in the history of Tennis, who now have 30 Grand Slams together.

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The impact that Venus and Serena Williams had on the world of tennis was incomparable. Their illustrious work has inspired countless youngsters, overcome racial and social barriers, and inspired a new generation of talent to pick up a racket and dream big. While King Williams is often credited for their introduction to the game, Rick Macci’s keen eye and relentless travel to Compton helped mold the Williams sisters into winners.

WATCH THIS STORY:  Will Smith Shows How King Richard Cast Trained Like Serena and Venus Williams

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Written by:

Ansh Tandon

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Ansh Tandon is a Tennis Writer at EssentiallySports. Ansh received his undergraduate degree in Journalism and Mass Communication and has been working in content creation for 2+ years. Before Ansh stepped into sports journalism, he was a professional tennis player, honing his skills in national level tournaments for the past 12 years as an active AITA athlete.
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Edited by:

Nidhi