Coach Rick Macci, a renowned tennis coach who played a pivotal role in developing Serena and Venus Williams during their formative years, recently shared his thoughts on rising tennis star Coco Gauff. While Macci emphasized that there will only ever be one Serena and one Venus, he did not shy away from drawing comparisons between the sisters and Gauff, stating that the 20-year-old is “cut from the same cloth.”
The Williams sisters, during their peak, were known for their resilience and ability to step up in crucial moments. Similarly, Macci has observed that Gauff, currently the top-ranked American female tennis player, displays a similar knack for rising to the occasion. This was evident on Saturday during the WTA Finals final in Riyadh, where Gauff faced Zheng Qinwen. After dropping the first set, Gauff found herself in a precarious position, trailing by a break in the second set. With her back against the wall, Gauff staged a remarkable comeback to level the match, ultimately forcing a third set.
The final set was a battle of nerves and skill, with Zheng twice taking the lead by a break. But Gauff, exhibiting a calmness and determination reminiscent of the Williams sisters, refused to fold. She denied Zheng the chance to serve out the match and instead forced a decisive tie-break. In a thrilling conclusion, Gauff emerged victorious with a 3-6, 6-4, 7-6 (2) scoreline, capturing the 2024 WTA Finals title. When asked about Gauff’s potential to become “the next Venus or Serena,” Macci was measured but complimentary. “There is only one Venus. Only one Serena. But the same thread all three share and the most important thread is how the thread stabilizes under pressure, and all three are cut from the same cloth,” Macci shared on X, formerly known as Twitter.
Coco Gauff’s admiration for the Williams sisters is no secret. Since turning professional, she has frequently credited them as her inspirations and guiding figures in the sport. In a touching recent moment, Venus Williams praised Gauff during an appearance on the Tamron Hall Show. Reflecting on an old photo of an eight-year-old Gauff cheering her on at the 2012 US Open, Venus expressed immense pride and support for the young champion. “I mean it’s so exciting to see her just like… explode. She is fantastic, and of course, I hope she wins every match,” Venus said.
Gauff, who won her maiden Grand Slam title at the 2023 US Open, has often spoken of the profound impact the Williams sisters have had on her career. She frequently emphasizes that Serena and Venus made it possible for her to believe in achieving her dreams, as they were among the few Black athletes dominating the tennis world during her formative years. During her victory speech at the US Open, a then-19-year-old Gauff paid tribute to her idols, saying, “They have allowed me to believe in this dream, you know, growing up. There weren’t too many just Black tennis players dominating the sport. It was literally, at that time when I was younger, just them that I can remember.”
Gauff went on to highlight the barriers the Williams sisters had to overcome, such as Serena’s infamous experience at Indian Wells and Venus’s relentless fight for equal pay in the sport. These battles not only paved the way for future players like Gauff but also inspired a new generation of athletes to dream big. “All the things that they had to go through made it easier for someone like me to do this. I mean, you look back at the history with Indian Wells, with Serena, all she had to go through, Venus fighting for equal pay. It’s just, like, crazy and it’s an honor to be in that kind of lineup as them,” Gauff added during her speech.
In recent months, Gauff has continued to honor her tennis role models. During a commercial shoot for Baker & Tilly US, she reflected on the significance of seeing two successful Black women excel in tennis. According to Gauff, the success of the Williams sisters gave her confidence and hope that she too could make a mark in the sport. Their journey not only served as a blueprint for success but also instilled in her a belief that hard work and perseverance can overcome any obstacle.
As Gauff’s career continues to ascend, comparisons with the Williams sisters will undoubtedly persist. While Macci is clear that no one can replicate the unique legacy of Serena and Venus, he sees traces of their spirit, grit, and mental toughness in Gauff. For tennis fans, this connection is a reminder of the enduring influence of the Williams sisters and the bright future ahead for Coco Gauff, who is carving her own path while paying homage to the trailblazers who inspired her journey.