Venus and Serena Williams are two of the most dominant figures in tennis history. But their rise to greatness wasn’t just about talent—it was about vision. And the man behind that vision? Richard Williams. In his memoir ‘Black and White: The Way I See It’, Richard made his goal crystal clear: “My plan was simple: to bring two children out of the ghetto to the forefront of a white-dominated game.” And he did just that. His methods were unconventional, but they worked. Now, one of Serena’s ex-coaches is sharing a story that proves Richard wasn’t just a tough coach—he had a sense of humor too.
Rick Macci was the first professional coach to train the Williams sisters. When the family moved from Compton, California, to West Palm Beach, Florida, the USTA Hall of Fame coach was the one who helped shape their raw talent. Venus and Serena started training with him in 1991, and for the next few years, he played a crucial role in their development. In 1995, however, Richard took over their coaching entirely, pulling them out of the academy. Though Macci’s time as their coach ended, his bond with the family remained strong. Over the years, he has worked with several other tennis stars, including Andy Roddick, Maria Sharapova, and Jennifer Capriati. But his memories with Richard Williams still stand out.
Recently, Macci took to X to share a hilarious story. The 70-year-old wrote, “Richard Compton Comedian everyday chirped and complained both Venus and Serena were SLOW. Every single day. He actually was correct as he would show them VIDEO OF A CHEETAH. How smart and funny was this guy!”
Richard Compton Comedian everyday chirped and complained both Venus and Serena were SLOW. Every single day. He actually was correct as he would show them VIDEO OF A CHEETAH. How smart and funny was this guy! @Venuseswilliams @serenawilliams
— Rick Macci (@RickMacci) March 19, 2025
Jokes aside, Serena’s game was anything but slow. The 23-time Grand Slam champion had one of the most powerful serves in tennis history. Patrick Mouratoglou, her former coach, called it “the greatest ever.” And the numbers back him up. Her serve averaged 106 mph, with her fastest clocking in at 128.6 mph at the 2013 Australian Open. Venus wasn’t far behind. In 2007, she unleashed a 129 mph (208 km/h) serve at the US Open, the fastest in WTA history at the time. On average, her first serve hit 113 mph (182 km/h) and could peak at 124 mph (199 km/h). Speed was never an issue for the Williams sisters.
But Richard Williams didn’t just focus on speed. He had a bigger plan.
Serena Williams’ former coach reveals King Richard’s unorthodox coaching method
Long before Venus and Serena Williams became household names, their father had it all mapped out. He wrote a 78-page plan outlining their path to success when they were just four and a half years old. His coaching style was anything but traditional. He used worn-out balls and obstacles on the court to improve their footwork and adaptability. He even homeschooled them to allow more practice time and develop their mental toughness.
Macci, who witnessed it all firsthand, shared another insight on X. On March 17, he revealed yet another one of Richard’s unique tactics. He wrote, “He wanted the hitting coaches to call the ball OUT when it hit the line. The Compton Crusader of life lessons wanted the girls to confront and demand the hitter to proceed to the net for a Compton Conference Call. How smart was Richard Willpower. @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams”
Richard wasn’t just coaching tennis—he was preparing them for the real world. His goal was to make them mentally unshakable. He knew that if they could handle unfair calls in practice, they could handle anything on the biggest stages.And handle it they did. Serena went on to win 23 Grand Slam singles titles, the most in the Open Era. Venus carved her own legacy with seven Grand Slam singles titles.
Their father made sure they were ready for anything. Which of Richard Williams’ coaching methods do you think gave Venus and Serena the biggest edge? Let us know in the comments below.
The post “Venus and Serena Were SLOW,” Serena Williams’ Childhood Coach Reveals Unpredictable Inside Joke About King Richard’s appeared first on EssentiallySports.