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“Two peas in a pod” fought all the odds to fulfill their dreams in the racquet sport! Those who know Venus and Serena Williams must have also come across two names, Richard Williams and Rick Macci. Macci began coaching Venus and Serena Williams when they were 10 and 9 years old, respectively. Both of them trained with Macci between 1991 and 1995. He has seen Richard Williams very closely and has also learned a lot about his techniques to create two superstars in the racquet sport. What advice would he like to give to all the parents from the recent generation who want their kids to become future stars like the Williams sisters?

In the 1990s, Rick Macci was also focused on coaching the former world number one, Jennifer Capriati. However, with the emergence of the Williams sisters, he decided to shift his attention more toward working with them and hence he built a bond with their family. So, he is often seen providing tidbits from the Williams sisters’ younger days and also often explains the pivotal roles that their parents had played in their tennis journey.

Recently, this renowned tennis coach came up with valuable advice for all the parents. In his tweet, he reflected on his admiration for King Richard and went on to add, “All junior tennis parents have to understand the most important item on the menu. It is not where you start it is where you finish. @Venuseswilliams @serenawillliams @JenCapriati.” However, this isn’t the first time that we’ve seen him heaping praise on the role that Richard Williams played during Venus and Serena Williams’ childhood.

In December 2023, Rick Macci recalled the advice that Richard Williams offered to his daughters during their tennis upbringing. Speaking on that on his X account, he added, “The Number One Gold Nugget Richard Williams would say Every Single Day to @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams and why I love The King Compton Crusader and that was to Smile. GOAT FATHER.” Both of them have played a crucial role in developing two of the biggest stars in the tennis world, but according to his own thoughts is the best advice that each and every parent of junior tennis players should follow nowadays?

Well, in August this year, Macci came up with a social media post claiming, “Was asked what is the single best advice to give parents of junior tennis players. Great question. Easy answer. THEY ARE KIDS FIRST AND TENNIS PLAYERS SECOND. @Venuseswilliams @serenawilliams.” After that a month later, he was seen hailing both Venus and Serena Williams for heeding their parents’ strict life lessons. What were some of those lessons, though?

According to Macci, “They never made excuses. Excuses were illegal in the Williams family. The life lessons Richard and Oracene taught daily are on the Parents Mt. Rushmore. Even more so the two little warriors that Heard every word but even more important Listened. @serenawilliams @Venuseswilliams.” Now, after hearing about all these, fans may become more curious to know: How different were Venus and Serena Williams‘ father, Richard Williams’ parenting as compared to other tennis parents?

The journey was never easy, but Richard Williams didn’t ever give up on fulfilling the dreams of his daughters! He even had to fight with gang members for his daughters’ training. Reflecting on her thoughts about the role of her life, Venus Williams once said, “People didn’t understand him but I think that it didn’t take long for people to realize that this is a guy who’s for his family, for his daughters, ride or die, no matter what.” Even Serena Williams has also time and again, mentioned the contribution of her father to their careers.

His approach toward the game was pretty much out of the book. He always tried to protect her daughters from the outside tennis world. Talking more about his tennis lessons, Venus Williams once said, “He wanted us to have fun first over anything. That’s the thing I loved most.” How different was Richard Williams from other tennis parents? Let’s check out what Rick Macci has to say on this.