"This isn't same Serena that we're used to seeing" - former coach Macci on Williams' US Open farewell

| by Kadir Macar

Prior to the 2022 US Open, seven-time USPTA Coach of the Year Rick Macci spoke exclusively with Tennis-Infinity.com.

Rick Macci, the youngest tennis coach to be inducted into the USPTA Hall of Fame, trained five players who finished first in the rankings, including Venus and Serena Williams. He shared some of his predictions with readers of Tennis-Infinity.com prior to the 2022 US Open, the season's last Grand Slam.

"I think Alcaraz is gonna win his first Slam" - Macci predicts 2022 US Open
"I think Alcaraz is gonna win his first Slam" - Macci predicts 2022 US Open

All eyes will be watching Serena Williams in the Flushing Meadows this year and although the crowd in New York would love to see her end her career with a trophy in her hands, Rick Macci highlights the importance of enjoying the moment.

"It depends on who she plays. Obviously she could win a few rounds. I think hardcourt is her best surface besides grass. But at Wimbledon the movement wasn't there," Rick Macci told Tennis-Infinity.com. "She was very careful with her movement, she can stop and start better on the hard court if she gets a good draw and some confidence."

"Anything is possible, but this isn't the same Serena that we're used to seeing. It's not the young lady who won 23 Grand Slam singles titles and 16 doubles Grand Slams. This is the greatest player ever to hold the racket. My opinion may be one of the greatest athletes ever, but this is a different version. She hasn't played a lot, little older, people are not afraid of her," said Rick Macci.

"She won her first Grand slam at the US Open and she's gonna end it at US Open. So I think it's an amazing way to end one of the most influential historic careers that we've seen by anybody, man or woman."

"But what she's done, transcended the sport and inspired others was incredible. But it doesn't matter if she wins or loses, she's gonna let everybody savor the moment and people love her because she displayed something," Macci concluded.

"She's an olympic sprinter with a tennis racket in her hand" - Gauff picked as one of US Open favourites by Macci
"She's an olympic sprinter with a tennis racket in her hand" - Gauff picked as one of US Open favourites by Macci

Stay tuned as the full interview with Rick Macci will be released on the 28th of August 2022. In the interview, he talks about his picks ahead of the 2022 US Open, including Daniil Medvedev, Carlos Alcaraz, Nick Kyrgios, Coco Gauff, Naomi Osaka and more.

Rick Macci spoke to Tennis-Infinity.com also before and if you want to read the previous exclusive interview with Rick Macci, you can click here.

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