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via Reuters

via Reuters

We have all witnessed Serena Williams’ tennis prowess, but her sister Venus also stunned everyone with her talent. They have worked hard from early childhood to reach where they are today. But did you know that the eldest Williams’ sister set records at a young age just after turning pro? She has a history of being a standout female tennis player, let alone a tennis player of color, with the help of her sister.

After a year as a pro, Venus, who was 15 at the time, not only shattered tennis records but also received a one-of-a-kind endorsement offer for a female tennis player. Three decades later, their childhood coach, who was there when she made her debut, spoke about how fate had a big impact on her early career, and the endorsement deal that shocked everyone.

Rick Macci sheds light on how Venus Williams’ life changed with her fate 

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The American tennis prodigy, now 42, made her Sporting Arena debut in 1994 when she was just 14 years old. Together with her sister, Serena, she immediately attracted attention. Recently, her former coach, Rick Macci, who was present at that moment, recounted how, just one year after going pro, she landed an unbelievable sponsor contract with faith by her side.

He wrote, “In 1994, when Venus Williams made her pro debut, we never would of played if the WTA would not of changed the age eligibility rule. Some of the best decisions in your life are the ones made by others. Nine months later the Compton Comet gets a 12 Million dollar contract.”

For the context, in 1995, just a year after making her debut. The 15-year-old was ranked third and signed her first endorsement deal with Reebok worth millions of dollars.

That year, she inked her first endorsement contract with Reebok, which was for $12 million. That was actually the first eight-figure contract that a black tennis star or a female tennis player had ever signed. According to the American tennis coach, some of the best decisions of her life, including the deal, were something they never anticipated.

READ MORE – ‘Sedate Me!’ – Venus Williams Admits She Needs to ‘Get Tougher’ After a Shark Tale That Left Her Bewildered

The agreement took aback not only the 68-year-old tennis coach but also her father, King Richard. A few years ago, he shared his concern about his daughter landing such a significant deal so early in her career.

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King Richard’s astonishing revelation regarding Venus Williams’ huge Reebok deal

The William sisters became superstars from the moment they stepped onto the tennis court, according to King Richard in a 1994 interview with the New York Times. In that interview, he also discussed the Reebok contract his oldest daughter, then 15, signed.

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He claimed that he never considered marketing his daughter and that Reebok did not pay him anything for the partnership. Additionally, just five years after landing the deal, in 2000. The seven-time Grand Slam champions secured a second endorsement agreement with the same company for a reputed $40 million over the following five years. The same agreement was the most lucrative endorsement contract a female tennis player had ever signed at the time.

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