Ex-Coach Says Serena Williams Can’t Win Wimbledon

Rick Macci, Serena Williams’ former childhood coach, has stated that he doubts the former champion possesses the endurance required to win seven straight matches and capture the Wimbledon singles crown.

The 44‑year‑old legend, who first retired in 2022, has recently returned to the professional circuit in doubles, having competed in two matches to date.

She was granted the final available Wimbledon wildcard for singles, after previously receiving a doubles wildcard to partner her older sister Venus.

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In a conversation with Tennis365, Macci said he believes Serena can inflict damage and deliver powerful serves against any opponent.

“I wasn’t surprised,” said Macci. “Four years ago, when she unplugged and retired at the US Open, I still thought there was a lot left in the tank, and I still thought she was gonna play doubles with Venus.”

“If you rewind the tape, she never really closed the door… a [she had] lot of things going on in her life, had another child, had a lot of other interests.”

“Where we’re at today, it doesn’t surprise me. I said it four months ago: ‘not only is she gonna play doubles, and I think it’s gonna happen at Wimbledon, I think she’ll play singles.’”

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“She’s doing it the right way by playing doubles to get used to the grass. Listen, she used to play two hours on grass back when she was a kid. She has the big serve, the clean groundstrokes, brutal return of serve.”

“Doubles, you’re only covering half the court, so she stepped in for a little tune‑up with the doubles, but 100%, singles was on the horizon. Grass is probably her best surface, simply because she can hurt people easier, and the points are quicker, shorter. And the other way around, they’re playing Serena Williams on the other side of the net.”

“So nothing would surprise me if she did go and beat people. Is she gonna win the tournament? No. But can she do damage and beat anybody? I’m telling you, she can beat anybody on the tour, because when you’re nervous…”