Serena Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci confident of her comeback, believes she will play doubles with sister Venus Williams
Serena Williams' potential comeback to the pro tennis circuit continues to capture the attention of many in the tennis world.
One of her and Venus Williams' initial coaches who was instrumental in their rise to the top, Rick Macci, recently addressed the comeback chatter. He believes that the 23-time Grand Slam champion will make a comeback.
Macci feels that Serena Williams will certainly return to team up with her older sister Venus for some doubles matches.
The 41-year-old herself has been teasing the tennis world with comeback hints ever since her retirement at the 2022 US Open. Williams recently even suggested that while she is set to remain retired for now, the level of tennis she is able to produce on the tennis court is still very high.
While her singles comeback, though unlikely, will be one to wait and watch out for, Macci believes Serena Williams' will undoubtedly share the doubles court with Venus.
"Everybody is asking will @Serenawilliams play again. My answer is in doubles for sure with the one she has been skipping and holding hands with since age 9," Rick Macci wrote on Twitter.
Everybody is asking will @Serenawilliams play again. My answer is in doubles for sure with the one she has been skipping and holding hands with since age 9.🐐
The Williams sisters last played together at the 2022 US Open, where they bowed out of the doubles event in the opening round.
The Williams sisters were first introduced to coach Macci, who has also worked with Jennifer Capriati, Andy Roddick, and Maria Sharapova, by their father Richard Williams. The Williams family moved to Florida primarily so that 13-year-old Venus and 12-year-old Serena could train with Macci.
"I never saw people compete like that" - Rick Macci on realizing Venus and Serena Williams' potential at a very young age
Rick Macci recently reflected on coaching Venus and Serena Williams when they were teenagers. While his first impression of both sisters did not suggest anything extraordinary to him, he soon realized what the duo were capable of when he played some competitive points in training with them.
"The whole landscape changed. Everything changed. It freaked me out," Macci said in reflection, on an episode of 'The Functional Tennis Podcast.'
Macci, 68, was left highly impressed with the sisters' tendency to chase down every ball. This was something he had not witnessed from players so young back in the day.
He stated that he never came across players who could compete the way Serena and Venus Williams did.
"Thats very unique. I never saw people compete like that," Macci conveyed.
Venus Williams is still active on the WTA tour but is currently nursing a hamstring injury and has not set a date for her comeback.