Serena Williams & Venus Williams' childhood coach Rick Macci reveals unique Christmas presents their father Richard gave him every year
Venus and Serena Williams' former coach Rick Macci has shared an interesting 'gift' the sisters' father Richard would share with him every Christmas. Macci and Richard worked together to develop the sisters' game during childhood.
On Wednesday, December 25, veteran coach Macci took to X (formerly Twitter) and recalled the Christmas anecdote about Richard, who he said would tell him his daughters were "the two most unique presents."
"Every Christmas the Compton Comedian would say the Exact same thing Dec 25th. Hey Rick I got you the two most unique presents you will ever get. It is a Venus Ebony Star Williams and Serena Jameka Williams blow up doll to blow things up," Macci wrote, tagging Venus and Serena Williams.
Richard approached Macci to coach his daughters in the early 1990s. The coach, who had established a solid reputation after overseeing Jennifer Capriati's phenomenal rise, had even visited Compton, California to see the sisters in action before he eventually invited them to train at his academy in Florida.
Macci worked with the sisters in collaboration with their father from 1991 to 1995. However, from here, Richard coached Venus and Serena Williams. Macci's instrumental role in developing their playing styles went largely under the radar until the commercial and critical success of the 2021 film, "King Richard".
The 70-year-old frequently shares incidents from and stories about coaching the Williams sisters. Earlier this month, he laid bare how Richard instilled a lasting sense of discipline in both Serena and Venus Williams.
Venus and Serena Williams' ex-coach Rick Macci revisits "life lessons" from sisters' father Richard
On Saturday, December 21, Rick Macci wrote on X about Richard Williams's dedication and commitment to starting practice early. The veteran coach said Richard was pivotal in ensuring Venus and Serena Williams grew up with the right work ethic and discipline, eventually contributing to their success in singles and doubles tennis:
"Richard was was always Early to practice. Always. We said if you are Late you will never be Great. Both VEE and Meek on court not only prepared Early but very seldom hit Late. Life lessons by the Compton Crusader."
Venus Williams is a seven-time singles Major winner. She also won the women's singles gold medal at the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney. She has yet to call time on her playing career. Meanwhile, her younger sister Serena, a 23-time Grand Slam champion and the 2012 London Olympics women's singles gold medal winner, retired at the 2022 US Open.
The sisters were also a feared doubles team, registering 14 doubles Major title triumphs and three women's doubles gold medals at the Olympics.