Serena Williams' childhood coach reveals unique strategy her dad Richard used to set her up for success in the biggest moments of her career
Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci has revealed a unique strategy her father Richard used to get his daughter accustomed to playing in the biggest moments of her life -- under the bright lights in big stadiums.
Macci coached both Serena and her sister Venus Williams in their formative years, taking over from their father and mother Oracene. Both sisters would go on to become two of the most successful tennis players the US has ever seen, with the elder bagging seven Grand Slam singles titles and the younger winning 23.
Macci, who is never short of interesting anecdotes from his time coaching the pair, took to social media on Thursday to reveal yet another fascinating story. The American disclosed that Richard Williams would make Serena practice in the pitch dark in the early hours of the morning with only his car lights behind her, even using a flashlight to shine directly into her eyes.
According to Macci, this was a ploy he used to make sure his daughter got accustomed to playing in the night sessions, which would be when most of the matches during the later stages of Grand Slams would take place.
"Serena would practice at 5 am some mornings in the pitch dark with his the car lights shining behind her and dad with a flashlight blinking on and off in her eyes. The Compton Comedian would always say hey MEEK get used to the bright lights! Love this guy," he wrote.
True to Richard's prediction, Williams became a beast when it came to handling her nerves in the big moments. With 23 Majors to her name, no other woman in the Open Era has won more Slams than her. She also has 14 Grand Slam doubles titles under her belt, partnering for all 14 with her sister Venus.
"My dad wanted us to have fun first over anything" - Serena Williams
Serena Williams has often hailed her father Richard for having a major influence on her, a story that was brought to the silver screen through the biopic 'King Richard.'
Speaking to Forbes ahead of the release of the movie, Williams hailed her father for showing how amazing African-American fathers could be. She also insisted that at the end of the day, he wanted her and her sister Venus Williams to have fun over anything else, an attitude that served them well in life.
"I think it was a great opportunity to see how amazing African-American fathers are. A lot of Black men aren't seen in that light. And a lot of people think that my dad was a different character. He wanted us to have fun first over anything. That's the thing that I loved most," Williams said.
While Serena Williams retired from the sport in 2022, her sister Venus continues to be an active part of the WTA Tour and is expected to be in action after the first few months of the 2025 season.